The Kaduna State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving maternal and child health with the launch of the First 1000 Days of Life Initiative.
Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe announced the initiative on Tuesday during a press conference in Kaduna to commemorate the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW). This year’s theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding, Create a Sustainable Support System,” underscores the need to protect child health and support long-term development outcomes.
Dr. Balarabe emphasized that the first 1,000 days of life — from conception to a child’s second birthday — are critical for lifelong health, brain development, and productivity. She cited scientific evidence linking exclusive breastfeeding and timely immunisation to improved child survival and stronger immunity.
“In spite of the benefits, exclusive breastfeeding rates in Kaduna remain low. Only 41 per cent of infants are exclusively breastfed, according to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. This is unacceptable,” she said. “We must create breastfeeding-friendly environments at workplaces, homes, and in our communities.”
The new initiative includes targeted interventions such as early initiation of breastfeeding, postnatal care, exclusive breastfeeding, routine immunisation, maternal nutrition, and health insurance enrollment for vulnerable families. It also provides training for healthcare workers in breastfeeding counselling.
Dr. Balarabe added that the initiative aligns with the administration’s broader agenda to strengthen the healthcare system and promote human capital development across the state.
Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmad, described breastfeeding as an effective and affordable tool to secure the future of children. She also announced the opening of a crèche at the Ministry of Health to support breastfeeding among working mothers.
“We urge political leaders, policymakers, health professionals, and communities to support this initiative. Breastfeeding is not just a health issue; it is also a matter of development and gender equity,” Ahmad said.
She stressed that the goal of the initiative is to give every child in Kaduna a strong start in life, break the cycle of poverty, and enhance future productivity.
Development partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), civil society organisations, and traditional leaders, have pledged their support for the programme.
