Anambra HIV control initiative launches with a goal of zero new HIV infections by 2030, backed by statewide mobilisation and a $1 million support pledge

The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency Executive Director, Dr Nkem Okeke, and the founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, Mrs Nonye Soludo, on Thursday launched the Anambra HIV Control Initiative in Awka, unveiling an ambitious grassroots programme designed to achieve zero new HIV infections across the state by 2030.

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The launch brought together government officials, traditional rulers, development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, youth groups and community leaders, reflecting broad support for a coordinated response to HIV/AIDS in Anambra State.

Presenting the vision behind the Anambra HIV Control Initiative, Dr Okeke said the programme was developed in response to the state’s HIV prevalence rate, which remains above the national average despite years of intervention efforts.

According to him, the initiative will focus on community health education, awareness campaigns, free HIV testing and counselling, distribution of prevention commodities, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and support programmes for people living with HIV.

“The Healthy Living HIV Control Initiative with Nonye Soludo is a landmark grassroots intervention aimed at accelerating the response to HIV/AIDS,” Okeke said.

“Anambra’s HIV prevalence rate remains above the national average, necessitating innovative and community-driven interventions like this.”

Okeke also commended Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and his wife for supporting efforts to align HIV prevention and treatment programmes with the administration’s Solution 2.0 development agenda.

Representing Mrs Nonye Soludo at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening HIV prevention, testing, treatment and stigma reduction initiatives across all 21 local government areas.

A major milestone of the ceremony was the inauguration of 42 Healthy Living HIV Initiative supervisors. The coordinators, comprising one male and one female representative from each local government area, are expected to lead weekly grassroots awareness and testing activities within their respective communities.

The supervisors will serve as the frontline workforce of the programme, helping to ensure that rural and underserved populations are reached with prevention messages, testing services and treatment support.

The event also received a significant boost from the private sector and diaspora community. Financial expert Sir Okwy Okeke, who is based in Morton Grove, Illinois, pledged to mobilise a $1 million support fund to strengthen HIV response activities in the state.

The proposed fund is expected to support community outreach programmes, testing services, public awareness campaigns and empowerment initiatives for people living with HIV.

Another defining moment came with the symbolic signing of the “Zero New HIV Infections by 2030 Commitment Charter,” a powerful gesture that saw stakeholders publicly reaffirm their commitment to ending new HIV infections, reducing AIDS-related deaths and tackling discrimination against people living with HIV.

The campaign builds on years of national and international efforts aimed at achieving the global UNAIDS target of ending AIDS as a public health threat. Public health experts have consistently identified grassroots mobilisation, early testing, treatment adherence and stigma reduction as critical factors in achieving sustainable progress.

Among those present at the launch were traditional rulers, including Igwe Ben Emeka of Umueri, members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, government officials, development partners, sponsors and community leaders.

With its extensive local government network, community-based structure and growing stakeholder support, the Anambra HIV Control Initiative is expected to become one of Nigeria’s largest grassroots HIV prevention and mobilisation programmes, expanding access to awareness, testing, treatment support and community engagement across the state.

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For public health advocates, the initiative represents a significant step towards transforming HIV response efforts from institution-led interventions into a community-driven movement capable of delivering lasting impact.