The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has launched a campus based HIV response initiative across 27 tertiary institutions in the state to strengthen prevention, awareness and support services among young people.
According to a report by PUNCH, the initiative, known as the Campus Action Committee on AIDS (CACA), was unveiled during the inauguration of HIV focal persons from the participating institutions in Awka on Sunday.
Executive Director and Project Manager of ANSACA, Dr Nkem Okeke, said the agency would train and formally inaugurate the committees to ensure their activities meet professional and ethical standards.
She said the participating institutions include universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, colleges of nursing and schools of nursing owned by government, private and mission organisations.
Okeke said the initiative would complement existing HIV response structures at the national, state, local government and ward levels, while helping to deepen HIV prevention and awareness on campuses.
She also acknowledged the support of Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, saying his administration’s renewed commitment to HIV response had helped the agency expand its interventions across the state.
Chairman of the Action Committee on the ANSACA Tertiary Institution HIV Response Programme, Mr Emeka Nwabunwanne, urged the focal persons to serve as key partners in strengthening the HIV response within their institutions.
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