Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week: Amplifying Voices for Change

At Public Health U (PHU), we are proud to work alongside a global community of volunteers who not only serve as mentors to our students but also go above and beyond to uplift their own communities. Two such inspirational leaders are Dr. Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed and Dr. Hafsat Rufai Ahmad, dedicated professionals who generously volunteer their time with PHU while actively advancing maternal and child health in their regions. Through their work, they exemplify how a connection with PHU can be a catalyst for both learning and service. 

 

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week 2025, we are proud to amplify their voices. The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is “Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future,” which serves to highlight the importance of breastfeeding as a pillar for lifelong health.  According to the World Health Organization (2023), breastfeeding provides essential nutrients for infants and protects against illnesses like diarrhea and pneumonia. It also offers long-term benefits, including reduced risk of obesity for both mother and child. Dr. Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed and Dr. Hafsat Rufai Ahmad, share insights and advice on maternal health, with a special focus on breastfeeding practices, challenges, and opportunities within their communities.

 

Dr. Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed is a professor at Hawler Medical University in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and holds a PhD in Maternity Nursing. She was a founding member of Iraq’s first Midwifery Department and focuses on maternal and child health, with breastfeeding as a key area of postpartum education. She also supervises MSc and PhD students in Maternity Nursing and Midwifery. 

 

Dr. Hafsat Rufai Ahmad is a pediatrician with over 20 years of experience in semi-urban Northern Nigeria. Her work focuses on maternal and child health, early childhood nutrition, and improving access to evidence-based care. She has led and contributed to initiatives promoting optimal breastfeeding to combat childhood malnutrition and improve health outcomes.

 

Here’s what they had to say as they shared their insights on breastfeeding, challenges in the field, and opportunities to improve maternal and child health.

Question 1: Have you had any direct experience supporting breastfeeding in your role (e.g., as a health worker, educator, or public health advocate)?

“Yes, in both clinical and community settings, I have had the opportunity of supporting breastfeeding through individual and community counseling, training on breastfeeding to doctors and students, community health worker training programs, public health awareness, and sensitization. I have been involved in adaptation, translation, and dissemination of culturally sensitive educational materials (10 steps to successful breastfeeding as an example) promoting early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding.”
Dr. Hafsat Rufai Ahmad
“In my undergraduate teaching, especially in courses centered on postpartum care, I emphasize practical, hands-on learning. A key aspect involves mentoring students to effectively educate mothers on breastfeeding methods and the associated health benefits. As part of their training, students are guided in developing educational pamphlets, which they actively distribute within the community to raise awareness. Beyond my academic responsibilities, I also offer individual consultation to family members seeking guidance or support regarding breastfeeding and related concerns.”
Dr. Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed

Question 2: What does World Breastfeeding Week mean to you personally or professionally?

“World Breastfeeding Week personally reminds me of myself as a mother and the powerful role that mothers and grandmothers play in shaping their children’s futures. Despite the technological advancements globally in all facets of life, myths, misconceptions, and challenges to breastfeeding still abound in our societies irrespective of social status and educational backgrounds. Professionally, it is a week to reflect on the investments and progress made in promoting breastfeeding and sustaining support systems and policies that protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers. It is a week to look back and recommit to reducing barriers and challenges and scaling up evidence-based interventions.”
Dr. Hafsat Rufai Ahmad
“Breastfeeding is a crucial public health issue that deserves focused attention and dedicated action. As educators and health professionals, it is our responsibility to raise awareness within the community and promote practices that support maternal and child health. By encouraging accurate information sharing, empowering families, and guiding mothers through challenges, we help create a stronger, healthier future.”
Dr. Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed

Question 3: Why is breastfeeding considered a public health priority, especially in low- and middle-income countries?

“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective interventions for preventing child mortality and improving long-term health outcomes. In low- and middle-income countries, where access to clean water, nutritious food, and healthcare may be limited, breastfeeding provides essential nutrients and immune protection. It reduces the risk of infections, malnutrition, and even chronic diseases later in life, making it a low-cost, high-impact strategy for improving population health.”
Dr. Hafsat Rufai Ahmad
“Breastfeeding impacts two of the most vital groups in society, mothers and children, and its consequences are far-reaching. The physical and psychological health benefits for both are well-documented, and its role in shaping healthy individuals later in life is profound. From a public health standpoint, breastfeeding is also economically beneficial due to its low cost. Moreover, recent scientific discoveries reveal that human milk contains unique bioactive components that cannot be replicated in formula, reinforcing its irreplaceable role in child development.”
Dr. Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed

Question 4: What role does public health education play in changing attitudes and practices around breastfeeding?

“Public health education works to empower women, communities, and other significant stakeholders to make informed decisions concerning breastfeeding, thereby helping to take ownership of policies that support the health, growth, and development of mothers and children. Public health education challenges misconceptions and myths concerning breastfeeding and child nutrition by providing consistent information and evidence for health workers to use in providing care and support to mothers and communities.”
Dr. Hafsat Rufai Ahmad
“Comprehensive education campaigns, supported by diverse strategies such as media outreach, psychological frameworks, and persuasive communication techniques, form the cornerstone of public health efforts. Promoting positive attitudes toward breastfeeding is essential, serving as a benchmark for encouraging consistent behaviors and practices. Equally important is identifying the challenges faced by mothers and families and providing targeted support to help them overcome these barriers—ensuring that breastfeeding becomes a sustainable and empowered choice.”
Dr. Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed

Question 5: How can online learning platforms like PHU contribute to building knowledge and confidence in maternal and child health practices, including breastfeeding?

“Online learning platforms like PHU have been providing up-to-date learning resources that are accessed even in remote and resource-limited settings. Such platforms can offer easy-to-use interactive modules for mothers and community fora that individuals and first-tier community-based health personnel and volunteers could use to build capacity, boost confidence, and strengthen policies and child health outcomes.”
Dr. Hafsat Rufai Ahmad
“By leveraging thoughtfully designed digital learning tools, we can capture learners’ attention, foster meaningful engagement, and empower them not only to apply knowledge for personal growth but also to contribute to their communities. Online education represents a modern, intelligent approach to sharing expertise and cultivating essential skills, ensuring that learning opportunities are both inclusive and far-reaching.”
Dr. Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed

We remain deeply inspired by the voices and contributions of our volunteers, who continue to highlight the realities, challenges, and opportunities in maternal health, particularly in the area of breastfeeding. As a critical public health intervention, breastfeeding plays a key role in improving maternal and child outcomes globally. At Public Health U, we are proud to support and amplify these vital conversations, especially in recognition of World Breastfeeding Week. As part of our ongoing commitment to advancing maternal health, we offer a Maternal Mortality course through our Master’s in Public Health program. This course explores essential topics in maternal health, including the significance of breastfeeding, and equips learners with evidence-based strategies to drive meaningful change. Together, through education, advocacy, and shared experience, we can build a healthier and more equitable future for all.

Reference List

 

World Health Organization. (2023.). Exclusive breastfeeding. https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/exclusive-breastfeeding

Reisha Narine

Author