International Youth Day 2026: ANSACA Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Led HIV Prevention
By Chibuzo Obidike
The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, ANSACA, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening youth led efforts towards HIV prevention and achieving zero new HIV infections by 2030.
In a message marking International Youth Day 2026, the Executive Director and Project Manager of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said the agency is expanding youth friendly HIV prevention, testing and counselling services in line with the state’s Strategic and Sustainability Transformation Plan 2026 to 2028.
She said the interventions include PrEP and PEP awareness, condom education, telehealth services, school and tertiary institution programmes, as well as increased youth participation through the HIV Awareness Brigade.
According to her, ANSACA is already taking HIV services closer to young people through campus outreaches, motor park and community testing, moonlight testing, telehealth services and targeted awareness campaigns. The agency has also established the Tertiary Institutions HIV Action Committee to strengthen HIV prevention and awareness in higher institutions.
Dr. Okeke commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for continued investments in education, skills development, employment, digital innovation and healthcare, describing the initiatives as important to creating opportunities for young people across the state.
She urged young people to know their HIV status, stay informed, protect themselves and reject stigma and misinformation.
“Young people are not merely beneficiaries of the HIV response; they are partners and leaders in ending HIV,” she said, expressing confidence that collective efforts can deliver zero new HIV infections and an AIDS free Anambra.
