By Eze Victor, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Agency for the Control of AIDS (EBOSACA) has warned that free HIV drugs may end by 2030, identifying Abakaliki, Edda, and Ohaozara Local Government Areas as the highest HIV-burden zones in the state.
The agency is intensifying door-to-door HIV testing and community sensitization across all 13 local government areas ahead of the 2025 World AIDS Day.
The announcement was made yesterday during the flag-off of the Local Government Sensitization Tour and free medical outreach at the Ezza North LGA headquarters in Ebiaji.
EBOSACA Executive Secretary, Prince Chibueze Andrew Iteshi, disclosed that the state currently has an estimated 18,000 people living with HIV.
He said daily testing continues to reveal new cases, but the agency is bridging the gap through expanded community outreach.
“We are here to engage stakeholders at the grassroots, including traditional rulers, political leaders, women and youth groups, and security agencies. Through our partners, we provide free medical services, HIV testing, and counseling to reduce the spread of HIV across communities,” Iteshi said.
He emphasized that HIV treatment and follow-up services remain free at all designated ART sites, with patients enrolled immediately upon diagnosis.
Iteshi also announced the introduction of injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), administered once every two months, offering longer protection compared to daily pills.
“We also distribute free condoms and run harm-reduction programs for people who inject drugs, including the provision of sterile needles,” he said.
Additionally, barbers, hairdressers, and beauty workers are being educated on sterilization practices to prevent HIV transmission through sharp objects.
The sensitization event featured a free medical outreach conducted in partnership with Abby Care Foundation. Dr. Edit Nwankwo, Medical Director of the foundation, said over 1,000 patients across several LGAs have already been attended to. “Our team includes doctors, nurses, lab scientists, and pharmacists. We prioritize rural communities to ensure they access care they may otherwise go without,” she explained.
Despite progress, EBOSACA noted that reluctance to take HIV tests remains a major challenge. “Testing is voluntary, and many people refuse due to fear or misinformation,” Iteshi said, urging residents to test every three months and take advantage of free services at health facilities.
Dr. Ezekiel Nwakpa cited the 2018 report, which placed Ebonyi’s HIV prevalence at 0.8%, representing about 16,300 people. He confirmed that 94–95% of cases around 15,610 individuals have been identified and are on treatment.
He revealed that the highest burden areas include Abakaliki (1.2%), Edda (Afikpo South), and Ohaozara (0.9%), followed by Afikpo North (1.0%), Izzi, and Ikwo. He noted that urban communities were found to have higher HIV prevalence than rural ones.
Nwakpa warned that global HIV funding is shrinking and may end by 2030. “If donor support stops, free HIV drugs may no longer be free. Our LGA sensitization tour is also a call to government leaders to invest in the HIV response for sustainability,” he said.
The sensitization tour will continue across other LGAs, intensifying community engagement, prevention campaigns, and treatment access ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1.
