The Enugu State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (ENSACA) has announced plans to launch a statewide HIV awareness and testing campaign during the annual August Women’s Meetings across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to the Executive Secretary of ENSACA, Dr. Emeh Rita (PT), the initiative is designed to leverage one of the largest community gatherings in Enugu State to expand access to HIV prevention, testing, education, and care services.
The August Women’s Meeting brings together thousands of women from different communities and age groups, making it a strategic platform to raise awareness on HIV prevention, encourage voluntary HIV testing, reduce stigma and discrimination, and provide comprehensive health education.
Dr. Emeh noted that the outreach will also facilitate the prompt linkage of individuals who test positive to appropriate care and treatment services, ensuring they receive the support needed to live healthy and productive lives.
She emphasized that women play a vital role in promoting healthy families and communities, adding that integrating HIV outreach into the annual meetings will significantly improve access to life-saving information and services.
The initiative, she said, aligns with Enugu State’s commitment to ending HIV as a public health threat by increasing community engagement, promoting early diagnosis, and strengthening access to quality healthcare services across the state.
ENSACA urged women across the 17 LGAs to actively participate in the outreach, take advantage of the free HIV testing and counseling services, and become advocates for HIV awareness and stigma reduction within their communities.
