By Obianuju Isima
Healthcare came closer to workers at Naira Rice on Sept. 18 as the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) took its integrated HIV and workplace health services to the company, reinforcing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of accessible and preventive healthcare for residents.
The outreach provided workers with free HIV counselling and testing, tuberculosis screening, hepatitis B and C screening, malaria screening, vital-sign checks and health education.
Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said the agency was determined to take health services beyond conventional facilities and into workplaces and communities where people live and work.
“Our message is simple: a healthy workforce is a productive workforce. We want people to understand HIV prevention, know their status and access care early when necessary,” Okeke said.
He explained that workers who test positive for HIV would be confidentially linked to appropriate treatment and supported to remain in care, while those who test negative would receive prevention information and guidance.
The ANSACA boss disclosed that organisations meeting their required health standards may be recognised with a Certificate of Compliance for a Healthy Workplace, encouraging employers to make workers’ health a priority.
Dr. Okeke called on businesses, industries, hotels, restaurants, bars and other corporate organisations across Anambra to partner with ANSACA in promoting healthy workplaces, HIV prevention, early testing and linkage to care.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO)of Naira Rice and Founder of Naira Group, Omenwa Arinze Benjamin, commended Governor Soludo and ANSACA for bringing essential health services directly to workers.
“At Naira Rice, we believe that health is wealth, health is progress and health is prosperity. A livable and prosperous Anambra must be built on sustainable, affordable and accessible healthcare,” Benjamin said.
He pledged the company’s continued support for health awareness and community engagement.
The Naira Rice outreach follows a similar intervention at Chiben Leisure Hotel, Awka, as ANSACA continues to expand workplace and community based services in support of Anambra’s goal of Zero New HIV Infections by 2030.
Obianuju Isima writes from Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA)
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