By Obianuju Isima
The Healthy Living HIV Control Initiative with Nonye Soludo has launched its grassroots HIV testing and advocacy campaign in Orumba North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, bringing essential HIV prevention, testing and healthcare services closer to residents.
The outreach, which took place on June 20, was led by the Executive Director and Project Manager of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, encouraged residents to know their HIV status and embrace healthy lifestyle practices to improve their overall well-being.
Dr. Okeke explained that the initiative, championed by the Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo, seeks to integrate HIV prevention into the broader healthy living agenda while expanding access to vital healthcare services across the state’s 21 LGAs.
He noted that the outreach featured free HIV testing and counselling, blood pressure checks, blood sugar screening, and health education sessions focused on HIV prevention, early diagnosis, treatment adherence and stigma reduction.
According to him, the Orumba North exercise marks the beginning of a statewide, community driven campaign aimed at increasing awareness, promoting early testing, combating stigma and strengthening grassroots participation in the fight against HIV/AIDS across Anambra State.
The ANSACA boss described the campaign as a significant step towards achieving the goal of zero new HIV infections by 2030, in line with national and global HIV response targets.
Speaking at the event, stakeholders commended the programme for taking critical healthcare interventions directly to communities, describing it as a strategic approach to improving access to HIV prevention and treatment services at the grassroots.
The team was received by the Mayor of Orumba North LGA, Barr. Capt. Casmir Chukwunonso Nwakor (Rtd), and his wife, alongside community leaders, stakeholders and residents who participated in the exercise.
Obianuju Isima is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation
