ANSACA Takes Free HIV Testing, Counselling to Umuoji Iri Ji Festival
By Chisom Echele | IchieTimes
The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has taken free HIV screening, testing and counselling services to the Iri Ji (New Yam) Festival held on October 17 at Umuoli Village, Umuoji, in Idemili North Local Government Area.
The outreach, sponsored by Chief Barrister Austin Arinze Obiefuna, was designed to raise HIV awareness, encourage voluntary testing and promote early diagnosis by bringing essential health services closer to residents.
The initiative offered festival participants an opportunity to access reliable HIV information, make informed health decisions and take proactive steps towards protecting their health. By integrating the services into a major community celebration, ANSACA also sought to make HIV testing more accessible and encourage wider participation in prevention efforts.
The agency expressed appreciation to the sponsor and members of the community for supporting the initiative. It also acknowledged Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, for his commitment to strengthening public health and advancing Anambra State’s HIV response.
ANSACA reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to HIV prevention, testing, counselling and treatment services across the state as part of collective efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Know your status. Prevention starts in the community.
