Government initiates a campaign to promote breastfeeding awareness
During World Breastfeeding Week, the Ministry of Health in Kuwait is taking a comprehensive approach to promote exclusive breastfeeding and raise awareness about its benefits.
The national breastfeeding awareness campaigns aim to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates, with a strategic goal to raise exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life to 70% by 2030, aligned with national objectives.
To support this initiative, the Kuwait Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition Program (MIYCN) is actively working under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) framework. This program offers integrated technical support to promote breastfeeding within healthcare settings, including counseling and support during pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal care.
In addition, the Ministry is focusing on strengthening health workforce capacity to provide breastfeeding counseling at all relevant points of care—antenatal, delivery, and postnatal—embedded in a "warm chain" of support that extends breastfeeding promotion beyond hospitals into the community.
Policy implementation and monitoring aligned with international guidelines, such as enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, are also key components of the Ministry's strategy. Data monitoring systems are being used to improve breastfeeding support systems continuously.
To create breastfeeding-friendly environments, the Ministry is engaging with workplaces and social protection systems. This includes mandating paid maternity/paternity leave and protecting breastfeeding time at work for women, aimed at empowering mothers to continue exclusive breastfeeding even after returning to work.
The campaign's activities include the distribution of educational materials, screening of awareness videos, and on-site events across health centers. Al-Jadeed, Jaber Al-Ahmad, and Al-Adan are among the maternity hospitals hosting these educational exhibitions.
Dr. Hasnaa Ayyad, Director of the Nutrition and Feeding Department in the Public Health Sector, made a statement regarding the campaign. She emphasized that breastfeeding provides infants with complete nutrition and natural immunity, and reduces the mother's risk of developing chronic illnesses.
Dr. Ayyad urged all health institutions and stakeholders to participate in spreading awareness and promoting healthy practices. The campaign's aim to educate the public on the health benefits of breastfeeding remains a key focus.
These efforts are part of Kuwait’s comprehensive and long-term approach to improve infant and child nutrition, leveraging both national programs and international breastfeeding promotion best practices. The Ministry's collaborative and broad-based approach in strategy implementation is indicative of its commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of mothers and infants in Kuwait.
- The Kuwait Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition Program (MIYCN) also focuses on other aspects of health and wellness, such as therapies and treatments for mental health.
- To further support women's health, the Ministry is working towards implementing policies that encourage parenting, like mandating paid maternity/paternity leave.
- In addition to promoting exclusive breastfeeding, the campaign also highlights the importance of fitness and exercise for both mother and infant, emphasizing the role of nutrition in achieving overall health and wellness.
- Awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding extends to other areas, such as the promotion of holistic health, encompassing mental health, fitness and exercise, and well-rounded nutrition, especially for women.
