The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has moved to strengthen collaboration with the Nigerian Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (NINERELA+) to deepen HIV awareness, reduce stigma and promote access to appropriate HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care across the state.
The Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, stated this on Thursday, August 20, while receiving a delegation of the organisation at the Agency.
The delegation, led by the Anambra State Coordinator of NINERELA+, Dcns. Ugwu Makuachukwu, included Kabiru Badamosi, Chairman, Muslim Society Anambra State NINERELA, and Onwumelu Musa Hamza, JNI and Chairman, Southeast Muslim Forum.
Discussions focused on leveraging the influence of Christian, Muslim and traditional religious institutions to strengthen grassroots HIV sensitisation, combat stigma and discrimination, and address myths and misinformation surrounding HIV.
Dr. Okeke stressed that while faith and spirituality support remain important to many people, they should complement rather than interfere with evidence-based HIV treatment and care. He noted that misinformation and unnecessary spiritual interference could discourage testing, undermine treatment adherence and negatively affect health outcomes.
ANSACA and NINERELA+ agreed to strengthen faith-based HIV education and community engagement as part of efforts towards achieving Zero New HIV Infections and an AIDS-Free Anambra State by 2030.
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