The Enugu State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ENSACA) marked this year’s Valentine’s Day with a statewide HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, combining a road drive across key locations with targeted outreach in tertiary institutions.
The initiative, held under the theme “Love Wisely: Get Tested, Stay Safe,” focused on encouraging residents to know their HIV status and adopt safer practices during a season often associated with heightened social interaction and intimacy.
As part of the campaign, ENSACA took its message to students at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) and the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), stressing the importance of responsible choices among young people.
During the campus outreach, students were offered free and confidential HIV testing services. Condoms and lubricants were distributed to promote safer sexual practices, while health professionals provided counseling on prevention, stigma reduction, and the need for regular testing.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of ENSACA, Dr. Rita Emeh, underscored the link between love and responsibility.
“As we celebrate love, we must also prioritize our health. Knowing your HIV status is an act of love to yourself and your partner,” she said.
The campaign received backing from key health partners, including the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, physiotherapists from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, and members of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, who provided professional support and counseling services.
Students who participated described the outreach as timely and impactful, expressing appreciation to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his administration’s continued support for health-focused and youth-driven initiatives.
ENSACA reaffirmed its commitment to reducing new HIV infections, combating stigma and discrimination, and expanding access to quality prevention, treatment, and support services across the state. The agency also encouraged residents to take advantage of free HIV testing services available at designated health facilities.
The Valentine’s Day drive forms part of ENSACA’s broader strategy to sustain public awareness and advance the fight against HIV/AIDS in Enugu State.
