Nkem Okeke: Health Professionals Hail Soludo for ‘Reactivating’ Anambra AIDS Control Agency
Medical professionals in Anambra State have commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for “reactivating” the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) through the appointment of a new Executive Director.
For about four years, the critical health agency operated without an Executive Director—a development many argued undermined its effectiveness and operational capacity.
This context perhaps explains why health professionals and other stakeholders across the state have welcomed the governor’s action, describing the agency’s reactivation as a timely and positive development.
Soludo recently approved the appointment of Dr. Hillary Nkem Okeke as the agency’s new Executive Director, bringing the prolonged vacancy to an end and ushering in what many hope will be a renewed, energised phase for the agency.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime, in a statement announcing the appointment on April 23, described Dr. Okeke as an award-winning, multi-skilled medical expert and lecturer who combines extensive clinical experience with outstanding research capabilities.
“With research interests in epidemiology, global health management, and community and social care management, among others, Dr. Okeke has presented high-quality papers at conferences and seminars,” the CPS added.
Reacting to the development, the Chief Medical Director of Princeton Specialist Hospital and Orthopaedic Centre, Awka, Dr. Amaechi Nwachukwu, described the agency as vital and “central to the control of AIDS” in the state.
“The creation of awareness alone can lead to a reduction in HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state,” Nwachukwu added.
A laboratory scientist at Glanson Medical Laboratories, Arizechukwu Nwobu, called on all stakeholders to support the AIDS Control Agency to enable it to achieve its targets.
“The revitalisation of the agency is very important, given that HIV remains prevalent in this country. Although there appears to be a slight decline, it is still widespread,” he said.
