By Michael Ovat -Awka
The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) and the Anambra State Ministry of Health have explored areas of collaboration to improve maternal and child health services, with particular emphasis on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and other infectious diseases.
The discussions between the Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, and the State Ministry of Health’s Reproductive Health Coordinator, Dr. Ifediora Ngozika C., were held on Oct. 21.
Key areas of discussion included strengthening interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, improving maternal healthcare and addressing the role of traditional birth attendants in promoting safer childbirth practices across the state.
The engagement also highlighted the importance of encouraging pregnant women to access antenatal care and deliver in recognised healthcare facilities, where they can receive appropriate medical attention and preventive services to protect their health and that of their babies.
The proposed collaboration seeks to strengthen coordination between ANSACA and relevant units of the State Ministry of Health, improve access to essential healthcare services, ensuring that mothers and children receive timely interventions against preventable infectious diseases.
The initiative aligns with the Solution Government of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, and its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of Ndi Anambra. It reinforces the administration’s vision of ensuring that mothers and children are protected from preventable infectious diseases, including HIV, through improved healthcare access, early intervention and effective prevention programmes.
Through this partnership, ANSACA is strengthening its commitment to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, reducing new HIV infections among children and supporting Anambra State’s efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
