The Federal Government has launched the “1,000 Days of Life” Social and Behaviour Change Campaign to combat child malnutrition and improve maternal and child health outcomes across Nigeria, coinciding with World Breastfeeding Week. The initiative focuses on promoting better nutrition from pregnancy until a child’s second birthday, a critical period for health and development.
Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized the importance of breastfeeding as an effective intervention for child survival. She highlighted that, despite 95% of Nigerian mothers breastfeeding, practices are below recommended levels. Key statistics from the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey revealed that only 36% of newborns are breastfed within an hour of birth and that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is at just 29%.
Kachollom identified barriers such as delayed breastfeeding initiation, harmful cultural beliefs, and inadequate support from workplaces. She urged collective action from various sectors to overcome these challenges.
The campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage healthy nutrition practices, promoting early initiation and continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding. Health officials also urged pregnant women and nursing mothers to utilize available health services.
The event featured statements from nutrition experts and a representative of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who stressed that breastfeeding should be viewed as a national investment in health and development, rather than just a personal choice.
