Anambra unveils campus HIV response initiative across 27 tertiary institutions

The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency has launched a new campus-based HIV response initiative across 27 tertiary institutions in the state, targeting adolescent young people with the aim of intensifying prevention, awareness and support services.

The initiative, known as the ‘Campus Action Committee on AIDS,’ comprising lecturers and students, was unveiled during the inauguration of the HIV focal persons from each participating institution, in Awka, the state capital, on Sunday.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Executive Director/Project Manager, ANSACA, Dr Nkem Okeke, said the agency would provide training and formally inaugurate the committees to ensure that their activities align with professional and ethical standards.

Okeke stated that the agency is visiting tertiary institutions to strengthen the HIV response and deepen interventions on HIV prevention, awareness and control, alongside the focal persons.

He said, “The ‘Campus Action Committee on AIDS’ comprises a member of the school authority (school lecturer) and a student representative. The institutions cut across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, colleges of nursing and schools of nursing, including government, private and mission-owned institutions.

“Under the exercise, participating institutions are expected to establish campus committees comprising students from different departments and levels.

ANSACA will provide training and formally inaugurate the committees to ensure that their activities align with professional and ethical standards.

The initiative adds a campus-level structure to Anambra’s expanding HIV response system, complementing existing mechanisms at the national, state, local government and ward levels.”

The ANSACA boss acknowledged the support of the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, describing the administration’s renewed commitment to HIV response as critical to the agency’s ability to expand interventions across the state.

With the inauguration of the focal persons, ANSACA is set to commence the next phase of establishing and strengthening CACA structures across the 27 institutions.

Addressing the committee, the Chairman, Action Committee on the ANSACA Tertiary Institution HIV Response Programme, Mr Emeka Nwabunwanne, charged the focal persons to see themselves as part of ANSACA’s building blocks in their schools.