By George Adesewa/Aderogba George
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life, describing breast milk as the foundation for healthy growth.
The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, made the call on Thursday in Abuja during activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
Fasawe said the annual campaign sought to promote and strengthen breastfeeding practices globally, while raising awareness of its health benefits for mothers and children.
She explained that breast milk, particularly colostrum, the first milk produced after birth, served as a baby’s first immunisation and protects against diseases.
“A well-fed baby is a healthy baby. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, alongside routine immunisation, is sufficient to support a child’s healthy growth and development,” she said.
According to Fasawe, studies have shown that exclusively breastfed children often experience better cognitive development, improved brain function and enhanced educational outcomes later in life.
She called on families, employers, religious organisations and communities to support breastfeeding mothers by creating enabling environments and providing suitable spaces for nursing infants.
“Breastfeeding works. It is free, affordable, promotes healthy growth and helps protect children from diseases,” she said.
Fasawe also encouraged pregnant women in the FCT to register for antenatal care and deliver in healthcare facilities staffed by trained healthcare professionals.
Responding to concerns about service charges, she clarified that antenatal care is free in all 62 Basic Healthcare Provision Fund-supported primary healthcare centres across the FCT.
She added that pregnant women referred from primary healthcare centres to general hospitals for specialised services, including Caesarean sections, were entitled to free treatment.
The mandate secretary urged residents to report unauthorised charges to the HSES and enrol in the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) for affordable healthcare access.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board (FPHCB), Dr Dan Gadzama, said the 2026 theme highlighted the importance of sustaining proven interventions.
Represented by Dr Aderonke Akande, Gadzama said every newborn should be breastfed within one hour of birth, describing breast milk as the safest and most effective nutrition source.
“Breastfeeding remains one of the most powerful, cost-effective and evidence-based interventions for ensuring optimal nutrition, preventing childhood illnesses, reducing infant mortality, and promoting healthy growth and development,” he said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) representative, Mr Oguche Wilson, described exclusive breastfeeding as a safe, affordable and cost-effective way of providing infants with essential nutrition.
“Nutrition provides the body with energy, supports growth and promotes good health. Breastfeeding offers these same benefits and remains the best source of nutrition for infants,” he said.
Wilson said that more than 800,000 women had benefited directly from primary healthcare services in the FCT, while child malnutrition rates continued to decline.
He added that routine immunisation coverage had improved significantly, increasing from about 63 per cent to more than 73 per cent due to sustained healthcare investments.(NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru