The Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ABSACA) has raised concern over rising HIV infection rates in three local government areas, especially Ukwa East, despite overall progress in reducing the virus across the state.
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation workshop held in Umuahia for members of Ward Development Committees (WDCs), the Director-General of ABSACA, Dr. Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu, revealed that Ukwa East currently has the highest HIV prevalence in the state at 2.48%. Ikwuano and Obingwa follow closely with 2.38% and 2.29% respectively.
Dr. Emma-Ukaegbu described the WDCs as the backbone of the HIV response at the grassroots level and urged them to lead awareness campaigns, town hall meetings, and faith-based outreach to promote testing, treatment, and prevention.
She said the state has recorded significant progress, with HIV prevalence dropping from 5.1% in 2018 to 2.1% in 2024. Currently, 46,788 people are receiving HIV treatment in Abia.
On the national level, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) reported that 75,000 new HIV infections and 45,000 AIDS-related deaths occurred in 2023. Around 1.9 million Nigerians are estimated to be living with the virus.
ABSACA Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr. Chinedu Iroh, stressed the need for consistent condom use to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Another speaker, Ms. Ekeoma Akidi, expressed concern over the stigma faced by people living with HIV, saying it discourages others from getting tested or seeking help. She called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to speak out against discrimination in their communities.
The workshop aimed to equip community leaders with tools to boost local HIV awareness and prevention efforts, especially in high-risk areas.
