The National Agency for the Control of AIDS on Tuesday inaugurated a technical team in Anambra state to conduct an Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Study as part of efforts to curb HIV infections and achieve epidemic control.
The inauguration took place during the 2026 IBBSS entry meeting at the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency office in Awka.
NACA Director-General Tope Ilori urged the team, led by agency Executive Director Nkem Okeke , to carry out a data-driven survey to identify people living with HIV through testing, provision of antiretroviral treatment and other support services aimed at achieving viral suppression.
Okeke said the team’s work forms part of a nationally coordinated HIV survey targeting prevention and control efforts in the state. He added that the study would focus on key populations, including sex workers and men who have sex with men.
“Due to the high prevalence of HIV in the state, Anambra was selected alongside 11 other states,” he said.
Okeke also credited Chukwuma Soludo with providing an enabling environment and technical support for the programme.
He said at least 1,200 individuals would be tested during the exercise in Anambra.
In a presentation, Chukwuemeka Ejekam , acting chief executive officer of the West African Centre for Public Health and Development, said the centre is implementing the 2026 IBBSS programme aimed at reducing HIV infections and achieving epidemic control by 2030, in line with targets set by the World Health Organization.
Ejekam said testing in Anambra would use new diagnostic kits capable of detecting and confirming recent infections within two weeks, compared with older kits that could take up to six months.
He added that the centre would support the state in deploying a data-driven approach to strengthen its HIV/AIDS response.
