Anambra First Lady Advocates Increased Funding to Eliminate Mother-to-Child Disease Transmission

The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has called for significant investment and unified action to eliminate the mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis. Speaking during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, she emphasized that preventive healthcare is far more effective and cost-efficient than treating these infections after they occur.

Dr. Soludo highlighted the importance of early testing, timely medical intervention, and consistent follow-up during pregnancy to protect both mothers and infants from lifelong health consequences. She pointed to the state’s ongoing free antenatal care program as a critical tool in this effort, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent expectant mothers from accessing essential screening and preventative services.

The initiative, themed “Synergizing efforts towards triple elimination,” brought together government officials, healthcare workers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders. Dr. Soludo urged these community stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns and work actively to combat the social stigma surrounding these diseases, which often prevents women from seeking early care.

State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, noted that while progress has been made in HIV prevention, more work is required to identify undiagnosed cases and ensure patients are successfully linked to treatment. Data presented by the State AIDS Programme Coordinator, Dr. Tonia Mbagwu, indicated that out of thousands of pregnant women screened recently, dozens tested positive for Syphilis and Hepatitis, underscoring the need for expanded, targeted testing.

Representatives from the World Health Organization and national health programs echoed the call for action, stressing that achieving the “Triple Elimination Agenda” requires strong political will, sustainable collaboration, and the immediate implementation of evidence-based health strategies.