ANTENATAL CARE GUIDELINES

Guidelines provide national standards for antenatal care in Nigeria, aligned with WHO recommendations, and outline services for each ANC contact. They target midwives, nurses, doctors, pregnant women, and health facilities. This reduces maternal and newborn mortality by ensuring quality care.

What Is This Policy?

Nigeria's national guidelines for the provision of antenatal care (ANC) to pregnant women, aligned with WHO focused ANC recommendations and prescribing the service package for each ANC contact.

Who Does It Target?

Midwives, nurses, and doctors providing antenatal care Pregnant women attending ANC Primary and secondary health facilities State Ministries of Health

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Ensure all pregnant women in Nigeria receive quality antenatal care that prevents, detects, and manages pregnancy complications, reducing maternal and newborn mortality.

Key Features

ANC Contacts: Recommends a minimum of 8 ANC contacts as per WHO guidelines, replacing the older 4-visit focused ANC. Service Package: Defines the clinical services at each ANC contact including blood pressure, haemoglobin, malaria testing, and ultrasound. Risk Identification: Provides tools for identifying high-risk pregnancies for referral to higher-level care. Birth Planning: Includes birth planning and emergency preparedness discussions as part of ANC.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — implemented at all ANC-providing facilities Coverage: Nationwide antenatal care services Beneficiaries: All pregnant women in Nigeria Funding: Federal and state health budgets; donor support

How to Access

Pregnant women: register for ANC at any government health facility as early as possible Attend all 8 recommended ANC contacts ANC is provided free or at minimal cost at government facilities Application method: Access ANC at the nearest primary health centre or hospital.

Important Terms

Early ANC booking (before 12 weeks) is strongly encouraged HIV testing is recommended as a routine part of ANC Complications detected at ANC must be referred promptly — delays cost lives

Official Resources

Website: https://www.health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health — Reproductive Health Division

Legal Framework

Issued under the authority of the Federal Ministry of Health pursuant to the National Health Act 2014 and Section 17 of the 1999 Constitution on health objectives. Implements WHO Antenatal Care Guidelines and the focused ANC model. Aligns with the Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Strategy, the National Reproductive Health Policy, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Act, and the SDG 3.1 target on maternal mortality.