The Anambra State government has made significant strides in expanding access to HIV testing, prevention, counselling, treatment, and care across the state. Since April, over 2,500 free HIV tests have been conducted through community, motor park, workplace, and tertiary institution outreaches. This initiative is part of the state's efforts to strengthen prevention and treatment efforts, particularly at the ward level. The state has also established 176 HIV-related facilities to provide residents with access to healthcare services.
The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has launched a Telehealth Media Platform and newsletter to provide residents with information and healthcare services, including HIV testing, treatment, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and guidance on preventing stigma and discrimination. The initiative, themed "Harnessing Digital Innovation to Strengthen the HIV Response: Bridging Communities and Advancing Health in Anambra State," aims to connect residents with healthcare services and information. The platform will provide dedicated hotlines for residents to access counselling, referrals, and reliable information on HIV.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, commended ANSACA for using digital technology to improve access to healthcare. He noted that the telehealth service would complement the state's telemedicine programme and encourage more residents to seek early HIV testing. Mefor linked the ANSACA platform to the state's wider telemedicine programme, enabling residents to access specialist medical care through primary healthcare centres at the ward level. This integration will ensure that residents can access healthcare services, even if there is no doctor in their facility.
The Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, highlighted that Anambra has become the first state in Nigeria to establish Ward Action Committees on AIDS (WACA) and Campus Action Committees on AIDS (CACA). These committees will play a crucial role in the state's efforts to prevent and control HIV/AIDS. Okeke emphasized that the state and country have reached a critical stage in the fight against HIV/AIDS, requiring new approaches such as telehealth to strengthen prevention and treatment efforts.
The ANSACA Telehealth Service will provide residents with access to counselling, referrals, and reliable information on HIV through dedicated hotlines. The initiative aims to remove physical barriers to healthcare access while maintaining confidentiality for residents seeking advice on sensitive sexual and reproductive health issues. Okeke stressed that the initiative is not just about phone numbers and publications but about bridging the gap between information and action, and between communities and life-saving services.
Key stakeholders, including Professor Ifeoma Njelita, called for stronger local ownership of the HIV response, emphasizing that digital innovation must remain people-centred while protecting privacy, consent, and data security. Njelita proposed an "Anambra Digital HIV Connect" initiative built around digital information, telehealth, testing, referrals, treatment adherence, and data intelligence. This initiative has the potential to further strengthen the state's efforts to prevent and control HIV/AIDS.
The launch event was attended by various stakeholders, including the traditional ruler of Umueri, HRH Igwe Ben Emeka (Okebo II), Ichie Dr. Izuchukwu Nwabueze, telemedicine doctors, representatives of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), and members of the media. The event demonstrated the state's commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders to prevent and control HIV/AIDS. The state's efforts to expand access to HIV testing and care have been commended by stakeholders, who are optimistic about the potential impact of the telehealth service.
Key points
- Over 2,500 free HIV tests have been conducted in Anambra State since April.
- The state has established 176 HIV-related facilities to provide residents with access to healthcare services.
- The ANSACA Telehealth Service will provide dedicated hotlines for residents to access counselling, referrals, and reliable information on HIV.
