Health
ANSACA, UNIMSA Provide Free HIV, Malaria, TB Screening to 139 Ogidi Residents
By Chidimma Justina | BriefMedia
No fewer than 139 residents of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area (LGA) benefited from free HIV counselling and testing, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) screening, health education, and referral services during a community health outreach organised by the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) in collaboration with the University of Nigeria Medical Students’ Association (UNIMSA).
The outreach, held on July 5 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ogidi, was designed to improve access to preventive healthcare services while promoting the early detection and treatment of HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.
During the exercise, participants received free HIV and malaria tests, TB screening, comprehensive health education, and referrals for further medical care where necessary. The health education sessions focused on HIV prevention, the importance of knowing one’s HIV status, malaria prevention through proper environmental sanitation, early recognition of tuberculosis symptoms, routine medical check-ups, and healthy lifestyle practices.
In preparation for the outreach, ANSACA, under the leadership of its Executive Director, Dr. Nkem Okeke, organised a training programme for members of UNIMSA on July 4. The training covered the National HIV Testing Services Guidelines, ethical standards, HIV counselling techniques, infection prevention and control, and referral procedures to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services during the outreach.
According to the agency, the initiative aligns with the healthcare vision of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to expand access to quality healthcare across Anambra State. ANSACA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening community-based HIV interventions, encouraging residents to know their HIV status, utilise available health services, and seek prompt medical attention whenever necessary.
