By Obianuju Isima
The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has sought stronger collaboration with JNC International Limited (JNCI) to expand HIV services, strengthen community based interventions and support the sustainability of the state’s HIV response.
The call was made on Aug. 14 when ANSACA delegation, led by the Executive Director/Project Manager, Dr. Nkem Okeke, paid an advocacy visit to JNCI’s Abuja office to explore areas of partnership and private-sector support.
The discussions focused on community HIV outreach, integrated testing services, diagnostic commodities, capacity building and training, technical support and other community-level health interventions.
Dr. Okeke highlighted the commitment of the Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, to strengthening healthcare delivery and developing sustainable health systems.
He said ANSACA was committed to expanding HIV prevention and testing services while strengthening public private partnerships to accelerate progress towards Zero New HIV Infections by 2030.
According to him, greater private sector participation is essential to sustaining the HIV response, particularly as donor funding and the global health financing landscape continue to change.
Dr. Okeke explained that ANSACA was increasingly promoting integrated community health services, whereby HIV outreaches could, where appropriate, incorporate health education, screening and referrals for other health conditions.
He said the approach would help maximise available resources, improve efficiency and bring more essential health services closer to communities.
The ANSACA delegation included Barr. Onochie Kingsley, APGA candidate for Idemili North State Constituency in the 2027 Anambra State House of Assembly election; Adinma Onochie, Technical Lead, National Committee on Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Certification; and MLS Igwe Ogbonna, Laboratory Scientist.
The delegation was received by Mrs. Esther Herbert-Ndumele, Business Manager, Project Sales and Abbott RDTs, JNC International Ltd, and Madam Lara Lawal, Head, Special Projects and Governmental Affairs.
The meeting examined opportunities for JNCI to support ANSACA through capacity development, integrated community outreaches, diagnostic commodities and other relevant technical solutions.
ANSACA welcomed JNCI’s expressed willingness to deepen engagement, saying it looked forward to further technical discussions that could translate the identified areas of collaboration into measurable and sustainable interventions for improved health outcomes in Anambra.
Partnership. Innovation. Sustainability. Impact.
anambrastateaidscontrolagency
