HEALTH Diseases

Health Insurance Scheme: Anambra Enrols 10,384 HIV Patients

by admin on | 2026-07-05 17:39:34

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Health Insurance Scheme: Anambra Enrols 10,384 HIV Patients

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

The Anambra State Government has enrolled 10,384 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in its health insurance scheme as part of efforts to expand access to affordable, quality and sustainable HIV treatment and care.

The Executive Director and Project Manager of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr Nkem Okeke, disclosed this at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held to review progress, strengthen collaboration and develop strategies for expanding HIV services through the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA).

Okeke said the enrolment emphasises the state’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to healthcare for people living with HIV and positions Anambra among the leading states in Nigeria integrating HIV services into health insurance coverage.

He added that integrating HIV services into the state’s health insurance programme would improve access to essential healthcare services and enhance the long-term sustainability of HIV treatment and care.

Stakeholders at the meeting commended the progress, describing the initiative as a significant step toward sustainable HIV care. They called for stronger implementation, increased enrolment and continued collaboration among partners to consolidate the gains recorded.

The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the health insurance programme, assessed its impact on beneficiaries and identified practical measures to improve service delivery and address challenges affecting access to HIV care across the state.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that no person living with HIV in Anambra is left behind. They emphasised the need for regular HIV testing, early diagnosis, prompt treatment and sustained efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination as key measures in ending the HIV epidemic in the state.

The meeting brought together representatives of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency and ANSACA.