Mogadishu, 1 August 2026 – The Ministry of Health and Social Services of the Federal Government of Somalia today officially launched the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week in Mogadishu, joining the global community in observing this important public health event.
The ceremony was inaugurated by the Minister of Health and Social Care, H.E. Dr. Ali Haji Adam, and attended by the State Minister of Health, Dr. Maryama Mohamed Hussein, representatives of the Somali Medical Association, Directors of Departments within the Ministry, senior officials from international health organizations, healthcare professionals, and other distinguished guests.
World Breastfeeding Week aims to promote and encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants during the first six months of life. Breast milk provides complete and essential nutrition required for healthy growth and development, strengthens the child’s immune system, enhances cognitive development, and protects against common infections, including respiratory, throat, and ear diseases.
In his remarks, the Minister emphasized the critical importance of the campaign, noting that only one in three Somali children receives exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. He highlighted that this represents a significant challenge to child health and development and called for urgent and collective action to improve these outcomes.
The Ministry of Health and Social Care reaffirms its strong commitment to implementing policies and regulations that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding practices across the country. The Ministry further calls upon all government institutions, development partners, communities, and Somali families to work together in supporting breastfeeding as a fundamental pillar for child health, growth, and survival.