By Chimdiogo Amuh

The Enugu State Agency for the Control of HIV & AIDS (ENSACA) on Monday, December 1, 2025, hosted a well-attended commemoration of the 2025 World AIDS Day, bringing together dignitaries, health experts, policymakers, development partners, and community leaders in a renewed effort to strengthen the state’s fight against HIV/AIDS. AnchorNews reporter, Chimdiogo Amuh, who covered the event, reports that the ceremony underscored Enugu’s commitment to prevention, early testing, treatment access, and sustained public enlightenment.

In her keynote address, the Executive Secretary of ENSACA, Dr. Emeh Rita, shared new insights into adolescents’ access to HIV information. She revealed that while 12.9% of adolescents rely solely on school-based sources, the majority obtain information from multiple channels including health workers, parents, peers, and social media. Dr. Rita emphasized that health professionals remain the most trusted source of HIV-related information, with 47.6% of respondents placing them first, followed by parents at 20.5%. She stated that this trust underscores the need to integrate more health workers into school and community education programmes. She further noted that although teachers, religious leaders, and social media were less frequently mentioned, they still play important roles, presenting opportunities for wider and more effective communication.

Representing Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Professor George Ugwu, reaffirmed the administration’s determination to reduce the state’s HIV prevalence from 2.1% to below 1% within the shortest possible time. He pointed out that while Enugu’s prevalence is already lower than the South-East regional average of 2.9%, the government is committed to moving the figures even lower. Professor Ugwu noted that the governor has consistently supported ENSACA and the Ministry of Health in carrying HIV sensitisation and testing campaigns to schools, markets, hospitals, churches, and other public spaces. He encouraged residents to know their status, seek timely care, and maintain positive health behaviours.

According to him, the ongoing revitalisation of Type II Primary Healthcare Centres and secondary health facilities across the state will expand access to free HIV testing and counselling in all wards, ensuring more residents benefit from available services. He also disclosed that in the days leading up to World AIDS Day, ENSACA teams, the Ministry of Health, and development partners carried out sensitisation exercises across major markets and junctions in Enugu as part of a coordinated statewide effort to deepen awareness and encourage more people to undergo testing.

The event was attended by a distinguished lineup of guests including Professor George Ugwu; Dr. Emeh Rita; Mrs. Chinyere Ugwu, who represented the wife of the governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah; Dr. Sunday Okafor, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Enugu State Chapter; Barr. Chimaobi Patrick Okorie, Commissioner for Lands; Barr. Ike Lloyd Ekweremadu, Commissioner for Youths and Sports; Professor Christian Ngwu, Chairman, Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC); former PDP Woman Leader, Mrs. Peace Patrick; among other stakeholders.

Speakers at the commemoration praised ENSACA for its unwavering leadership in HIV education, community testing, and large-scale sensitisation campaigns. Many remarked that the agency’s collaborative approach, reinforced by strong government backing and community participation has made Enugu one of the most proactive states in the South-East in addressing HIV/AIDS.

The programme concluded with renewed calls for residents to take advantage of free HIV testing and counselling services available across healthcare centres in all wards. Stakeholders expressed confidence that the state’s goal of drastically reducing HIV prevalence is achievable through continued community engagement, government support, and the steadfast commitment of ENSACA and its partners.

- AnchorNews