KADUNA DEPUTY GOVERNOR LAUNCHES FIRST 1,000 DAYS OF LIFE INITIATIVE, ADVOCATES STRONGER SUPPORT FOR BREASTFEEDING
As part of activities marking the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, the Kaduna State Government has launched the First 1,000 Days of Life Initiative to promote child survival, nutrition, and optimal development.
Speaking at a press briefing held Tuesday at the Deputy Governor’s Council Chambers, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe emphasised the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and multisectoral support systems to improve child health outcomes in the state.
The briefing, attended by the Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmed, heads of health agencies, UNICEF Kaduna Chief of Field Office Dr. Gerida Birukila, and representatives of development partners and civil society organisations, highlighted the government’s renewed commitment to maternal and child health.
Dr. Balarabe noted that the First 1,000 Days of Life Initiative targets the critical window from conception to a child’s second birthday, a period she described as “the most crucial for brain development, growth, and lifelong well-being.”
“The initiative will ensure every pregnant woman and child under two in Kaduna State receives adequate nutrition, healthcare, responsive caregiving, vaccinations, clean water, and birth registration,” she said.
She also decried the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the state, currently at 41% according to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), despite its well-known benefits including reduced healthcare costs, improved cognitive outcomes, and stronger immunity for infants.
To improve these figures, the Deputy Governor revealed that Kaduna State offers six months of maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers in public service. Additionally, the Commissioner of Health, Umma Ahmed, announced the establishment of a crèche at the Ministry of Health to support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.
The 2025 World Breastfeeding Week is being celebrated under the theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create a Sustainable Support System”. The Deputy Governor said the theme aligns with the state's human capital development goals and Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare system.
She called on political leaders, traditional and religious institutions, civil society groups, employers, and families to join in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
“This is not just a health issue; it is a development priority, a gender issue, and a human rights imperative,” Dr. Balarabe stated.
A week-long series of advocacy activities including media engagements, roadshows, webinars, and community dialogues are scheduled to hold across the state.
The event concluded with a formal launch of the initiative and renewed calls for sustained year-round advocacy for breastfeeding as a smart and cost-effective investment in child health and development.
As part of activities marking the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, the Kaduna State Government has launched the First 1,000 Days of Life Initiative to promote child survival, nutrition, and optimal development.
Speaking at a press briefing held Tuesday at the Deputy Governor’s Council Chambers, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe emphasised the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and multisectoral support systems to improve child health outcomes in the state.
The briefing, attended by the Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmed, heads of health agencies, UNICEF Kaduna Chief of Field Office Dr. Gerida Birukila, and representatives of development partners and civil society organisations, highlighted the government’s renewed commitment to maternal and child health.
Dr. Balarabe noted that the First 1,000 Days of Life Initiative targets the critical window from conception to a child’s second birthday, a period she described as “the most crucial for brain development, growth, and lifelong well-being.”
“The initiative will ensure every pregnant woman and child under two in Kaduna State receives adequate nutrition, healthcare, responsive caregiving, vaccinations, clean water, and birth registration,” she said.
She also decried the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the state, currently at 41% according to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), despite its well-known benefits including reduced healthcare costs, improved cognitive outcomes, and stronger immunity for infants.
To improve these figures, the Deputy Governor revealed that Kaduna State offers six months of maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers in public service. Additionally, the Commissioner of Health, Umma Ahmed, announced the establishment of a crèche at the Ministry of Health to support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.
The 2025 World Breastfeeding Week is being celebrated under the theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create a Sustainable Support System”. The Deputy Governor said the theme aligns with the state's human capital development goals and Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare system.
She called on political leaders, traditional and religious institutions, civil society groups, employers, and families to join in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
“This is not just a health issue; it is a development priority, a gender issue, and a human rights imperative,” Dr. Balarabe stated.
A week-long series of advocacy activities including media engagements, roadshows, webinars, and community dialogues are scheduled to hold across the state.
The event concluded with a formal launch of the initiative and renewed calls for sustained year-round advocacy for breastfeeding as a smart and cost-effective investment in child health and development.
KADUNA DEPUTY GOVERNOR LAUNCHES FIRST 1,000 DAYS OF LIFE INITIATIVE, ADVOCATES STRONGER SUPPORT FOR BREASTFEEDING
As part of activities marking the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, the Kaduna State Government has launched the First 1,000 Days of Life Initiative to promote child survival, nutrition, and optimal development.
Speaking at a press briefing held Tuesday at the Deputy Governor’s Council Chambers, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe emphasised the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and multisectoral support systems to improve child health outcomes in the state.
The briefing, attended by the Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmed, heads of health agencies, UNICEF Kaduna Chief of Field Office Dr. Gerida Birukila, and representatives of development partners and civil society organisations, highlighted the government’s renewed commitment to maternal and child health.
Dr. Balarabe noted that the First 1,000 Days of Life Initiative targets the critical window from conception to a child’s second birthday, a period she described as “the most crucial for brain development, growth, and lifelong well-being.”
“The initiative will ensure every pregnant woman and child under two in Kaduna State receives adequate nutrition, healthcare, responsive caregiving, vaccinations, clean water, and birth registration,” she said.
She also decried the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the state, currently at 41% according to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), despite its well-known benefits including reduced healthcare costs, improved cognitive outcomes, and stronger immunity for infants.
To improve these figures, the Deputy Governor revealed that Kaduna State offers six months of maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers in public service. Additionally, the Commissioner of Health, Umma Ahmed, announced the establishment of a crèche at the Ministry of Health to support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.
The 2025 World Breastfeeding Week is being celebrated under the theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create a Sustainable Support System”. The Deputy Governor said the theme aligns with the state's human capital development goals and Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare system.
She called on political leaders, traditional and religious institutions, civil society groups, employers, and families to join in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
“This is not just a health issue; it is a development priority, a gender issue, and a human rights imperative,” Dr. Balarabe stated.
A week-long series of advocacy activities including media engagements, roadshows, webinars, and community dialogues are scheduled to hold across the state.
The event concluded with a formal launch of the initiative and renewed calls for sustained year-round advocacy for breastfeeding as a smart and cost-effective investment in child health and development.
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