Ukwa East Tops HIV Prevalence in Abia as ABSACA Urges Intensified Community Action

Despite steady progress in reducing HIV rates across Abia State, Ukwa East Local Government Area remains a hotspot for new infections, prompting calls for enhanced grassroots efforts. This was highlighted during a one-day sensitisation workshop held in Umuahia by the Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ABSACA), targeted at members of the Ward Development Committees (WDCs).

Presenting the latest data, ABSACA’s Director-General, Dr. Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu, revealed that Ukwa East currently has the highest HIV prevalence in the state, with a rate of 2.48%, followed by Ikwuano at 2.38% and Obingwa at 2.29%. She emphasized the critical role of WDCs in the fight against HIV and encouraged them to lead local engagement initiatives including town hall meetings, market campaigns, and faith-based outreach to promote awareness, testing, prevention, and treatment.

Dr. Emma-Ukaegbu noted that 46,788 individuals are currently undergoing HIV treatment in the state. She also highlighted a significant improvement in the overall HIV prevalence rate in Abia, which has dropped from 5.1% in 2018 to 2.1% as of 2024.

At the national level, she cited data from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), which recorded 75,000 new HIV infections and 45,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2023, with an estimated 1.9 million Nigerians currently living with the virus.

Speaking further at the workshop, ABSACA’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Chinedu Iroh, stressed the importance of preventive measures—particularly consistent condom use—in controlling the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

In her contribution, public health advocate Ekeoma Akidi raised concerns over the continued stigma faced by people living with HIV, which she said undermines prevention efforts. She called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to actively discourage discrimination and promote compassion within their communities.