Healthcare professionals and development partners in Katsina State have called for stronger policies to support breastfeeding mothers, including the introduction of six months’ paid maternity leave and the creation of breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.

The call was made on Wednesday during the World Breastfeeding Week celebration held at the Government House Banquet Hall, Katsina, under the theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”

The event, organised by the Office of the Katsina State First Lady, Zulaihat Radda, in collaboration with development partners, brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders who stressed that breastfeeding is a fundamental right of every child and a critical investment in the nation’s future.

Speaking at the event, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency, Shema’u Kabir, advocated policies that would guarantee six months’ maternity leave for nursing mothers while encouraging both public and private institutions to provide breastfeeding-friendly environments.

Kabir reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to improving maternal and child health across the state through sustained collaboration with development partners and other relevant stakeholders.

“The State Primary Healthcare Agency will continue to work with development partners and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective strategies are implemented to support breastfeeding at every level,” she said.

Healthcare experts at the event highlighted the life-saving benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, describing breast milk as the ideal source of nutrition for infants during their first six months of life.

The State Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Primary Healthcare Agency, Aminu Lawal, explained that breast milk contains all the essential nutrients required by newborns, strengthens their immune system against infections, and contributes significantly to healthy cognitive and mental development.

Also speaking, the Project Coordinator of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project in Katsina State and Assistant Director of Public Health at the State Ministry of Health, Umar Bindawa, said the annual celebration provides an opportunity to join the global campaign promoting exclusive breastfeeding.

According to him, the awareness drive targets not only mothers but also fathers, whose support is vital to successful breastfeeding practices.

Bindawa urged mothers to initiate breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes to one hour after delivery and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months before introducing appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding.

The stakeholders unanimously agreed that strengthening policies, increasing public awareness and fostering supportive environments would help improve child survival, maternal health and overall nutrition outcomes in Katsina State. (Channels)