Anambra’s fight against HIV/AIDS best model in Nigeria – UNAIDS

UNITED Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) has rated Anambra’s model for ending mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS as best in Nigeria.

  National Coordinator and Fast Track Adviser for UNAIDS in Nigeria, Dr. Richard Amenya, stated this when he led a delegation of the agency in a courtesy visit to Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala in Awka, yesterday.

  Specifically recommending Anambra’s campaign to end mother to children transmission of HIV/AIDS as global model, Amenya noted both the state excelled by putting the right healthcare infrastructure and policies on ground.

  According to Amenya, this puts Anambra in the best position of actualising the agency’s campaign for an end to mother to child transmission by 2022.

  He, therefore, urged the state government to continue integrating HIV/AIDS into its general healthcare delivery.

  Responding while receiving the team to his office, Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Vincent Okpala said the state achieved the feat strategic partnership with crucial healthcare providers in both private and public sectors.

  According to him, these development partners include donor agencies, National Action Committee Against AIDS (NACA), United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) and others.

  Okpala also explained Anambra’s performance in the fight against HIV/AIDS as a product of Gov. Willie Obiano’s personal commitment to ensuring that no baby is born HIV positive in the state by 2022.

  Also speaking, Anambra State Programme Coordinator of HIV/AIDS, Cyril Afam-Anieme disclosed that over 5,000 pregnant women living with HIV are already in captured into the pilot scheme.

  Other members of the visiting team include a UNICEF representative, Dr. Abiola Davies, National Coordinator of National AIDS & STI Control Programme, Dr. Akudo Ikpeazu, and others.