Anambra agency expands HIV services with telehealth platform
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The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) in Nigeria is responding to increasing HIV/AIDS cases by launching a telehealth platform to reach more people with prevention, testing, and treatment.
Dr. Nkem Okeke, Executive Director of ANSACA, announced the initiative in Awka, explaining it aims to overcome barriers related to stigma, distance, and consistent follow-up care.
Since April, ANSACA teams have tested over 2,500 people through outreach programs at locations like workplaces and schools, connecting those who need further help with appropriate medical services. The agency also released a newsletter listing 176 primary healthcare centres across Anambra State that offer HIV services, providing information on preventative treatments like PrEP and PEP, as well as counseling and referrals.
To extend its reach, ANSACA established a network of 1,693 community health workers spread across the state’s 326 wards and strengthened programs within 27 universities. Professor Ifeoma Njelita emphasized that telehealth should integrate into existing healthcare systems to create a community-focused approach, while Dr. Law Mefor, representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo, praised the platform’s alignment with the state’s existing telemedicine program.
The initiative is part of Anambra’s broader 2026 to 2028 HIV plan, which prioritizes prevention and care for young people and other vulnerable groups.
