The Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA) has reported that approximately 98,960 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Dr. Afam Obidike, the Commissioner for Health in Anambra, shared this statistic during a media briefing ahead of the 2023 World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1.
The global theme for World AIDS Day 2023 is “Let Communities Lead,” while Nigeria has domesticated it as “Communities’ Leadership to end AIDS by 2030.”
Dr. Obidike highlighted that Anambra State has the fifth-highest HIV prevalence in Nigeria, with 58% of those affected knowing their status, and 44,808 currently on treatment.
He emphasized the state’s progress toward the Global 95-95-95 targets, with a current status of 65:81:93.
The commissioner also noted a decline in new infections by 46% between 2021 and 2023 and a 32% reduction in AIDS-related deaths during the same period.
The state is actively working on prevention efforts, including scaling up Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission services and increasing access to HIV self-testing to address stigma and discrimination.
