By Obianuju Isima
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.
“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.
ANSACA stressted that
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.
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