ANSACA takes integrated HIV services to Nwoke Udi Restaurant
By Chukwuemeka Modilm
The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has extended its workplace HIV prevention and integrated health screening programme to Nwoke Udi Restaurant on Abakaliki Street, Awka, providing workers with free HIV testing, counselling and other essential health services.
The outreach was aimed at promoting workplace health, raising awareness about HIV prevention and ensuring that workers have access to essential screening and health education.
During the exercise, workers received HIV counselling and testing, tuberculosis screening, hepatitis B and C screening, malaria screening and health education.
The ANSACA team also educated participants on HIV prevention, including the correct and consistent use of male and female condoms.
Speaking to ABS after the exercise, the Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr Nkem Okeke, said the initiative was in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive to ensure that workplaces and workers across Anambra State remain healthy.
Okeke explained that participants who test positive for HIV would be confidentially linked to appropriate treatment services and supported to remain in care.
He stressed that the programme was designed to promote a healthy and productive workforce, noting that a healthy workforce contributes to a productive economy.
The ANSACA Executive Director added that participants would receive their individual test results, while Nwoke Udi Restaurant would be issued a Healthy Workforce Compliance Certificate to demonstrate its participation in the health initiative.
He called on residents and organisations across the state to contact the agency whenever they require its services, assuring them of ANSACA’s readiness to respond.
