By Zakari Haruna Isah
Kaduna – The Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna Initiative (KADMAM) has called on governments, healthcare providers, employers, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, civil society organisations and families to strengthen support for breastfeeding as part of efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
The appeal was made in a statement issued to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week 2026, observed globally from August 1 to 7 under the theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”
Signed by the Civil Society Co-Chair of KADMAM, Garba Muhammad, MNIPR, the statement described breastfeeding as one of the most effective and affordable interventions for improving maternal and child health.
According to the organisation, exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life provides infants with essential nutrients and antibodies, protects them against common childhood illnesses, promotes healthy brain development and significantly reduces infant mortality. It added that continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding up to two years and beyond contributes to improved health outcomes for both mothers and children.
KADMAM, however, noted that many mothers continue to face challenges that hinder optimal breastfeeding practices, including inadequate family and workplace support, misinformation, limited access to skilled breastfeeding counselling and socio-economic difficulties.
The organisation stressed that addressing these challenges requires sustained investment in quality maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health and nutrition services, stronger community engagement and the implementation of policies that protect and promote breastfeeding.
It urged the Kaduna State Government, healthcare institutions, employers, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, the media and development partners to strengthen systems that enable mothers to initiate breastfeeding early, exclusively breastfeed for the first six months and continue breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding in line with global health recommendations.
KADMAM also commended Project Smile for Humanity Foundation and its partners for raising awareness through initiatives such as the World Breastfeeding Walk Campaign, describing the programme as an important platform for promoting breastfeeding as a shared responsibility.
The organisation further encouraged families and communities to provide enabling environments where nursing mothers can breastfeed without discrimination or unnecessary barriers.
It maintained that protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding remains a collective responsibility and a strategic investment in healthier children, healthier mothers and a healthier society.
KADMAM called on all stakeholders to renew their commitment to strengthening breastfeeding support systems to ensure every child is given a sustainable start in life.
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