The Association of Nigerian Advocates for the Safe and Affordable Care (ANSACA) has called on expectant mothers to begin antenatal care early and to use prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services, according to Channels Television. The appeal came as World Breastfeeding Week opened on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Channels Television reports that ANSACA framed the advice as a way to protect both maternal and infant health. The group’s statement aligns with the week’s global focus on breastfeeding, but the outlet did not provide further details on specific events or locations tied to ANSACA’s announcement.
The push arrives amid broader concerns about breastfeeding rates in Nigeria. UNICEF has reported that two in three Nigerian babies do not receive exclusive breastfeeding, a figure cited by The Guardian Nigeria News. The same UN agency has also warned that 15 million Nigerian children face stunted growth, as covered by The Nation Newspaper. UNICEF has urged journalists to amplify solutions that support breastfeeding, per a separate release.
In a related development, Akwa Ibom state marked the week by targeting more than 32,000 women and children for outreach, Channels Television also reported. That figure, while separate from ANSACA’s call, underscores the scale of maternal and child health efforts underway across the country.
World Breastfeeding Week runs annually in the first week of August, and this year’s events in Nigeria are drawing attention to gaps in early care and feeding practices. Health officials and advocacy groups are using the platform to stress that early antenatal visits and PMTCT services can reduce risks for both mothers and newborns.
Watch for further state-level announcements and UNICEF data updates as the week progresses, with a focus on whether exclusive breastfeeding rates improve following these campaigns.
