How Abia State Is Combating HIV/AIDS – ABSACA

The Abia State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (ABSACA) has ramped up its efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030, with a fresh call to the media to collaborate in combating stigma, raising awareness, and promoting prevention.

Speaking at a one-day sensitization meeting held on Wednesday at Candid Hotel, Umuahia, aimed at educating the media on HIV/AIDs, ABSACA’s Director General, Dr. Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu, underscored the media’s critical role in the fight against the virus.

Addressing media professionals from across the state, she outlined ABSACA’s achievements in reducing the state’s HIV prevalence rate from 5.1% to 2.1%, a figure above the national average of 1.4%.

“If we continue at this pace, I believe we will reach a point where HIV/AIDS becomes a thing of the past,” Dr. Emma-Ukaegbu stated. However, she warned that the battle is not over, noting that donor funding could withdraw after 2030. “We must be prepared to sustain our efforts internally, ensuring that Abia State remains capable of managing HIV/AIDS on its own,” she added.

Dr. Emma-Ukaegbu urged the media to avoid sensationalism and derogatory language in their reports, emphasizing that such practices fuel stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLWH). She stressed that accurate, responsible reporting is essential in educating the public, dispelling myths, and fostering empathy.

“The media plays a vital role in advocacy, and today we have the privilege to educate and equip them with the knowledge necessary to fight stigma and increase awareness about HIV/AIDS,” she explained.

As part of ABSACA’s comprehensive strategy, Dr. Emma-Ukaegbu highlighted the agency’s outreach efforts. The agency has trained 58 secondary school teachers across Abia’s three senatorial zones, along with youth leaders, religious figures, and community members, in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“No one is left behind in this effort to combat and ultimately eradicate HIV/AIDS,” she affirmed.

In her presentation, Dr. Emma-Ukaegbu also revealed local government statistics on HIV prevalence. Ukwa East currently has the highest rate at 2.48%, followed by Ikwuano at 2.38%, and Obingwa at 2.29%. On the lower end, Umuahia North reported the lowest prevalence at 1.17%, with Ohafia at 1.25%, and Bende and Isuikwuato both at 1.28%.

These statistics, she pointed out, highlight the need for continued vigilance and targeted approaches to address the spread of HIV/AIDS across the state.

In her remarks, the DG advocated for the local production of HIV/AIDS treatment drugs, in line with a national policy aimed at reducing reliance on foreign aid. Additionally, preventing mother-to-child transmission remains a focal point of ABSACA’s strategy, as the agency works to shield future generations from the virus.

Following Dr. Emma-Ukaegbu’s address, Mrs. Ekeoma Akidi, a senior ABSACA official, urged the public to seek accurate information about HIV and get tested early.

“If people want to know where to get treatments, let them ask questions. They should know that knowledge is power. Most atimes how we look at HIV/AIDS is not how It is. Early treatment can always make the lives of people leaving with HIV/AIDS better”. Akidi warned.

“if you refuse to identify the fact that you have the virus and decide to keep it to yourself, The challenge is that it would get down to AlDs and at that Point in time, you must have created more problems than you imagined for yourself”.

She also stressed the dangers of inconsistent treatment, in her words, she said “ it is better not to start treatment at all than start and stop in the middle because this could result to the Virus growing resistant strains to the medications”.

Mrs. Munachi Aguomba, another official from ABSACA, condemned the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV. She called for an end to harmful practices perpetuated by healthcare workers, schools, religious bodies, and families.

“Discrimination encourages self-stigma and worsens the fight against HIV/AIDS,” Aguomba lamented. She called for greater compassion and support for those affected by the virus, noting that stigma remains a significant obstacle to prevention and treatment.

The event concluded with a strong appeal to the media to continue raising awareness and standing in solidarity with those living with HIV, as the state aims to eliminate the virus and end the stigma surrounding it.