REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
24/ 06/26. HIV/ ANAMBRA
The Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has called for increased collective stakeholder action towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis in the state.
Mrs Soludo made the call during a one-day high-level stakeholders’ meeting on the Triple Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Syphilis, held at the Government House, Awka.
Presenting an overview of the Anambra state’s disease burden, the State AIDS Program Coordinator, Dr Tonia Mbagwu, disclosed that out of 85,802 pregnant women tested for Syphilis, 20 were positive, while 117 out of 62,971 tested positive for Hepatitis.
This explains why the stakeholders called for expanded prevention, targeted testing and increased domestic resource mobilisation to end the situation.
Addressing the participants, Mrs Soludo stressed that early testing, timely treatment and proper follow-up during pregnancy can prevent lifelong consequences for both mothers and babies.
She commended the Anambra State Government’s commitment to maternal and child healthcare, particularly the ongoing free antenatal care programme in public health facilities, which ensures no woman is denied quality healthcare due to financial constraints.
According to her, thousands of pregnant women are currently benefiting from essential antenatal services, including screening and preventive interventions for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis.
Mrs Soludo emphasised that achieving the Triple Elimination Agenda requires the active collaboration of all stakeholders, including healthcare workers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners and families.
She urged community leaders to intensify awareness campaigns and called on religious leaders to promote early antenatal attendance while fighting stigma associated with the diseases.
In a remark, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, acknowledged gains in HIV testing and prevention but noted that more work is needed to identify undiagnosed cases, link clients to treatment, and sustain outcomes.
He stressed the need for greater efforts towards eliminating Hepatitis B and Syphilis transmission, especially among pregnant women and newborns, describing the free antenatal care services as a strong platform for integrating screening, prevention and treatment.
The Anambra State Coordinator of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Bonos Mohammed, in a goodwill message, underscored the need for strong political will and sustainable collaboration, assuring that WHO will continue to provide strategic guidance and support.
The National Coordinator of NASCP, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, represented by Dr Chioma Ukanwa, urged stakeholders to move beyond speeches and develop actionable plans with timelines for execution.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that the event, with the theme ‘Synergizing efforts towards triple elimination: Strengthening investment, innovation, and collaboration to end HIV, viral Hepatitis and Syphilis in Anambra State,’ was organised by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Program (NASCP), and other partners.
