Awka, June 23, 2026 — Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has stressed that early screening, timely treatment and consistent antenatal care can significantly reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and other infectious diseases.
She made the remarks on Tuesday in Awka during a one-day high-level stakeholders’ meeting on the Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Syphilis.
The meeting, themed “Synergising Efforts Towards Triple Elimination: Strengthening Investment, Innovation and Collaboration to End HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Syphilis in Anambra State,” was organised by the Anambra State Ministry of Health in partnership with the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Trinity Healthcare Foundation and other development partners.
Soludo explained that early diagnosis and treatment not only prevent transmission from mother to child but also help avoid long-term health complications for both mothers and newborns.
She called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners and community stakeholders, as well as increased investment to achieve the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis in the state.
According to her, sustained commitment to preventive healthcare is essential to protecting families and improving access to quality maternal and child health services.
She noted that her Healthy Living Initiative focuses on preventive health, adding that prevention remains more effective and less costly than treating advanced diseases.
Soludo commended the state government for its free antenatal care programme in public health facilities, describing it as a major step toward improving maternal and child health outcomes.
She said thousands of pregnant women are already benefiting from antenatal services that include routine screening and preventive interventions aimed at reducing vertical transmission of infections.
She urged healthcare workers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners and families to play active roles in achieving the Triple Elimination agenda.
She also called on community and faith-based leaders to intensify awareness campaigns, encourage early antenatal registration and help reduce stigma associated with HIV and other related infections.
Soludo expressed optimism that eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis is achievable if stakeholders sustain their commitment.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said that despite progress in HIV testing and prevention, efforts must be strengthened to identify undiagnosed cases and ensure timely treatment.
He noted that improving linkage to care and maintaining treatment adherence remain key to sustaining positive health outcomes across the state.
Obidike added that the free antenatal care programme provides an effective platform for integrating screening, prevention and treatment services for HIV, Hepatitis and Syphilis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) State Coordinator, Dr Bonos Mohammed, said the triple elimination initiative requires strong political will and continuous collaboration among all stakeholders.
He assured that WHO would continue to provide technical support, strategic guidance and advocacy to help achieve the programme’s objectives.
The National Coordinator of NASCP, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, represented by Dr Chioma Ukanwa, urged stakeholders to develop clear, actionable implementation plans with defined timelines.
Also presenting data on disease prevalence, the State AIDS Programme Coordinator, Dr Tonia Mbagwu, revealed that 20 of 85,802 pregnant women tested for Syphilis were positive, while 117 of 62,971 screened for Hepatitis tested positive.
She emphasised the need to expand testing, strengthen prevention programmes and improve domestic resource mobilisation to reach underserved populations and enhance partnership efforts.