The UNICEF Enugu Field Office has promised to commence support for the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) programmes in the first quarter of 2027, which will in turn, boost the state’s HIV response efforts.
UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo made the promise when she paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, in Awka on Oct. 16.
Dr. Okeke briefed the UNICEF representative on Anambra State’s HIV response workplan, ongoing interventions and priority programmes designed to strengthen HIV prevention, treatment and care services across the state.
The proposed collaboration is expected to provide an opportunity for both organisations to explore areas of partnership, strengthen efforts towards improving access to HIV services and health outcomes for residents of Anambra State.
The engagement underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing HIV prevention, expanding access to essential healthcare services and working towards an AIDS-free Anambra.
The UNICEF Enugu Field Office continues to engage with the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) to explore opportunities for collaboration in strengthening maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (MNCAH) interventions in Anambra State..
During the meeting, Dr. Okeke provided an overview of the agency’s ongoing programmes and priority interventions. Discussions focused on identifying areas of mutual interest and exploring complementary approaches to improving access to essential health services for women, newborns, children and adolescents.
Key areas discussed included alternative models of health service delivery, strengthening community networks for disease surveillance, and leveraging community-based structures to promote antenatal care (ANC) attendance, skilled birth attendance and institutional deliveries. These approaches could help strengthen linkages between communities and health facilities and encourage timely access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare services.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on strengthening coordination, leveraging institutional expertise and fostering collaboration among relevant health sector stakeholders in support of Anambra State’s health priorities.
The ongoing dialogue reflects the importance of sustained inter-agency collaborations in exploring complementary approaches to strengthening health systems and improving access to essential health services for women, children and adolescents across Anambra State.
