ANSACA, JNCI Explore Stronger Collaboration on HIV Services in Anambra
By Chizoba Njaka
The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has intensified efforts to strengthen the state’s HIV response through expanded collaboration with the private sector, with a focus on improving community-based services and sustaining access to essential HIV interventions.
The agency made the move during an advocacy visit by its delegation, led by the Executive Director and Project Manager, Dr. Nkem Okeke, to the Abuja office of JNC International Limited (JNCI), where both organisations examined opportunities for deeper partnership and technical support.
The discussions focused on strengthening community HIV outreach, integrated testing services, diagnostic commodities, capacity development and training, technical assistance, as well as other community-level health interventions that could improve access to healthcare services.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Okeke said the Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, remained committed to improving healthcare delivery and developing sustainable health systems across the state.
He said ANSACA was working to expand HIV prevention, testing and other support services while promoting stronger public-private partnerships as part of efforts to achieve the goal of Zero New HIV Infections by 2030. According to him, the changing pattern of donor funding and the evolving global health financing landscape had made increased private-sector participation essential to maintaining the gains recorded in the fight against HIV.
Dr. Okeke also highlighted ANSACA’s growing emphasis on integrated community health services, explaining that HIV outreach programmes could be designed to include health education, screening and referrals for other health conditions where appropriate. He said such an integrated approach would ensure better utilisation of available resources, improve operational efficiency and bring a wider range of essential healthcare services closer to people in underserved communities.
The ANSACA delegation was received by Mrs. Esther Herbert-Ndumele, Business Manager, Project Sales and Abbott RDTs, JNC International Limited, and Madam Lara Lawal, Head, Special Projects and Governmental Affairs. The meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to identify practical areas of cooperation, including capacity development, integrated community outreaches, provision of diagnostic commodities and other technical solutions that could support the state’s health programmes.
ANSACA expressed appreciation to JNCI for its willingness to explore deeper collaboration and said it looked forward to further technical engagements aimed at translating the identified areas of partnership into measurable and sustainable interventions. The agency said such interventions would contribute to improved health outcomes and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the HIV response across Anambra State.
Other members of the ANSACA delegation were Barr. Onochie Kingsley, APGA candidate for Idemili North State Constituency in the 2027 Anambra State House of Assembly election; Adinma Onochie, Technical Lead, National Committee on Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Certification; and MLS Igwe Ogbonna, Laboratory Scientist.