Abia State has renewed its fight against HIV/AIDS by passing a new Anti-Stigma and Discrimination Law and increasing efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT).
Speaking at the 2025 World AIDS Day event, the Director General of the Abia State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (ABSACA), Dr. Uloaku Ukaegbu, said the state’s HIV rate is 2.1 per cent. This means about two out of every 100 people in Abia are living with HIV. The figure is higher than the national average of 1.4 per cent.
She also explained that the more than 50,000 people receiving HIV treatment in Abia include many from neighbouring states Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Enugu and Imo who come to Abia because they fear stigma in their own communities.
Dr. Ukaegbu said PMTCT is one of the most important parts of Abia’s HIV response and stressed that no child should be born with HIV since prevention is free and effective. “Every pregnant woman should attend antenatal care and get tested. The HIV test is free, the PMTCT medicines are free, and even the baby’s drugs after delivery are free,” she said.
She noted that HIV can pass from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, but early testing and proper treatment greatly reduce the risk.
Dr. Ukaegbu also announced the passage of a new Anti-Stigma and Discrimination Law to protect people living with HIV. The First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, played a key role in supporting the law. “Anyone who stigmatizes or discriminates against a person living with HIV in Abia will now face legal consequences. Our First Lady has been very supportive, meeting with their groups and encouraging them,” she added.
As part of the World AIDS Day activities, all 17 local government areas are holding church services, rallies and media campaigns such as radio messages to promote the message that HIV is not a death sentence when detected early and treated properly.
Dr. Ukaegbu said she is hopeful that with continuous treatment, prevention, community education and legal protection, Abia State will contribute significantly to the global goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
