UNICEF Set to Support Anambra HIV Response, Maternal and Child Health Programmes in 2027
By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Enugu Field Office has expressed readiness to commence support for programmes of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) in the first quarter of 2027, with discussions also focusing on strengthening maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services across the state.
The commitment emerged during a courtesy visit by UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, to the Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, on October 16, 2026.
During the meeting, Dr. Okeke presented an overview of the agency’s HIV response workplan, ongoing interventions and priority programmes aimed at strengthening HIV prevention, treatment and care services in Anambra State.
The discussions also explored possible areas of collaboration between both organisations to improve access to essential healthcare services and strengthen health outcomes for residents.
On maternal and child health, the engagement focused on alternative models of healthcare delivery, strengthening community networks for disease surveillance and mobilising community structures to encourage antenatal care attendance, skilled birth attendance and institutional deliveries.
These approaches are expected to help improve connections between communities and health facilities, while encouraging women to seek timely maternal and newborn healthcare services.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both organisations to explore ways of improving coordination, sharing institutional expertise and working with relevant health sector stakeholders to address the state’s healthcare priorities.
The proposed UNICEF support for ANSACA programmes could strengthen ongoing efforts to expand HIV services, while broader discussions on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health highlight the importance of coordinated interventions across the health sector.
The engagement underscores the role of strategic partnerships in improving access to healthcare and advancing Anambra State’s efforts towards better health outcomes for women, children, adolescents and people affected by HIV.
