The National Agency for the Control of AIDS on Tuesday inaugurated the Anambra State Technical Team to conduct the Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Study as part of efforts to achieve epidemic control in the state.
The inauguration took place during the 2026 IBBSS Entry Meeting held at the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency office at the old Government House in Awka.
The Director-General of NACA, Dr Tope Ilori, urged the technical team, led by the Executive Director of Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, Dr Nkem Okeke, to carry out a data-based survey to identify people living with HIV/AIDS through testing, provision of antiretroviral drugs, and other support aimed at achieving viral suppression in the state.
Speaking during the inauguration, Okeke said the team was in Anambra for the nationally coordinated IBBSS survey on HIV, a programme targeted at the prevention and control of HIV in the state.
He explained that the survey is critical for Anambra and will cover key populations, including sex workers and men who have sex with men.
“Due to the high prevalence of HIV in the state, Anambra was chosen alongside 11 other states in the country,” he said.
Okeke added that Governor Chukwuma Soludo had provided the enabling environment and technical support for the successful conduct of the survey.
“No fewer than 1,200 individuals will be tested during the programme in Anambra State. We appreciate the Federal Ministry of Health and NACA for choosing Anambra among the states selected for the IBBSS programme,” he said.
In his presentation, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the West African Centre for Public Health and Development, Chukwuemeka Ejekam, said the centre is implementing the 2026 IBBSS programme, which targets key populations with the aim of reducing HIV cases and attaining epidemic control by 2030, as set by the World Health Organisation.
Ejekam said testing in Anambra would be carried out with new kits capable of identifying and confirming new infections within two weeks, unlike older test kits that could take up to six months.
He assured all that the centre would provide the state with the necessary support to implement a new data-driven intelligence programme for HIV/AIDS response.
