ANSACA Urges Pregnant Women to Embrace PMTCT Services as World Breastfeeding Week Begins
By Uzo Ugwunze
As the world commemorates World Breastfeeding Week 2026 from August 1 to 7, the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has called on pregnant women to register early for antenatal care, know their HIV status and access Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services to help eliminate new HIV infections among children.
The agency said mothers living with HIV can safely breastfeed and give their babies a healthy start in life by adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART), attending regular medical appointments and following the guidance of trained healthcare providers.
ANSACA noted that the Soludo administration has continued to strengthen healthcare delivery across Anambra through investments in primary healthcare, maternal and child health services, expanded access to quality healthcare and sustained public health awareness campaigns, adding that the administration’s commitment, complemented by the maternal and child health advocacy of the First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has created greater opportunities for pregnant women and nursing mothers to access essential healthcare services, including HIV testing, counselling, treatment and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) interventions.
According to ANSACA, breastfeeding remains the best source of nutrition for infants, providing the nutrients and antibodies needed for healthy growth, brain development and protection against childhood illnesses. explaining that scientific evidence shows that when a mother living with HIV consistently takes her prescribed ART and maintains an undetectable viral load, the likelihood of transmitting HIV to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding is greatly reduced.
The agency emphasized the importance of early infant HIV testing and routine follow up care to ensure HIV exposed infants remain healthy and receive appropriate medical attention when necessary.
ANSACA advised expectant and breastfeeding mothers to know their HIV status as early as possible, commence and remain on HIV treatment where required throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, exclusively breastfeed in line with healthcare providers’ recommendations, present their babies for early HIV testing and seek prompt medical attention for breast conditions such as cracked nipples or mastitis.
Highlighting the significance of the annual observance, ANSACA noted that World Breastfeeding Week serves as a reminder that no mother should face stigma or discrimination because of her HIV status, stressing that timely HIV testing, access to quality healthcare, adherence to treatment, strong family and community support enable mothers living with HIV to raise healthy, HIV free children.
Observed annually from August 1 to 7, World Breastfeeding Week promotes breastfeeding as a cornerstone of child survival, nutrition and lifelong health while encouraging governments, healthcare providers, communities and families to create an enabling environment for every mother to breastfeed successfully.
