Fes Meknes Region: The Regional Directorate of Health celebrates the fourth edition of the national campaign to promote breastfeeding

“Under the slogan “The first thousand days are the foundation of our children’s future”, the Regional Directorate of Health in Fès Meknes, in cooperation with the National Initiative for Human Development, is organizing a national campaign to promote breastfeeding, which will last from May 22 to June 22, 2024, as in previous years, within the framework of the implementation of the National Nutrition Program.

This campaign aims to reinforce the gains related to breastfeeding, which is considered a fundamental pillar of children’s health and nutrition, and the first thousand days of human life is a window of opportunity for better development for future generations.

Malnutrition in children under the age of five is an obstacle to the development of human capital, and investing in improving the nutritional status of infants and young children is economically profitable and socially equitable.

Recent studies, such as one published in The Lancet in 2016, indicate that promoting exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life is a key pillar of healthy early childhood development.

In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) points out that there is a close relationship between prolonged breastfeeding and children’s IQ growth, academic achievement, and economic viability.

However, it appears that the rate of early breastfeeding remains low, calling for the promotion of this behavior, which is one of the key determinants of child health and a favorable future investment.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the need to protect a child’s right to breastfeed for healthy development. To achieve this, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the National Initiative for Human Development have prepared a set of communication supports and will organize sensitization activities for health professionals in the public and private sectors.

The Regional Directorate of Health and Social Protection in Fez Meknes is implementing an extensive communication plan during the campaign period, including multiple awareness and sensitization activities, including round tables, training sessions, radio programs and press releases, with the aim of enhancing public understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding and promoting optimal nutritional behavior during the first 1,000 days.

Through these joint efforts, the stakeholders hope to achieve the desired goals and promote the health of mothers and children, thus contributing to building a healthy and sustainable society.”

Source : Fes News Media