Taza Launches Community Training to Boost Exclusive Breastfeeding in Morocco

Yesterday 09:35

Morocco is stepping up efforts to improve maternal and infant health through community-based training, with a new programme in Oued Amlil, in the province of Taza, focusing on exclusive breastfeeding and support for families during the earliest stages of a child’s development.

Held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Oued Amlil youth centre, the training day brought together community mediators working locally to raise health awareness and guide mothers towards appropriate maternal and infant care services. The initiative was organised by the Provincial Committee for Human Development in partnership with the provincial health authorities.

The programme forms part of Morocco’s National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), which places particular emphasis on strengthening human capital and improving access to essential services, including in rural and remote communities.

Strengthening Local Support for Mothers and Families

The training focused on equipping community mediators with practical skills to communicate health recommendations, raise awareness and direct families towards relevant services. Participants took part in theoretical presentations and practical workshops designed to improve their ability to support pregnant women, new mothers and households facing difficulties accessing health information.

The initiative reflects the importance of local outreach in public health campaigns. Community mediators can help bridge the gap between healthcare facilities and residents, particularly in areas where geographical distance or limited access to information can complicate the follow-up of pregnancies and the adoption of recommended nutritional practices.

To support their fieldwork, participants received smartphones, work materials, bags, printed documents and awareness posters. These resources are intended to facilitate communication between local stakeholders, improve the monitoring of individual cases and make health information more accessible to families.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Takes Centre Stage

The session is part of Morocco’s national campaign promoting exclusive breastfeeding, running from October 20 to November 20, 2026. The campaign’s central message is that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life provides the essential nutritional foundation for infants.

Health authorities are using the campaign to encourage mothers and families to understand the benefits of breastfeeding and adopt appropriate practices from the earliest days after birth. The initiative also highlights the importance of maternal nutrition, pregnancy monitoring and preventive care throughout the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

This period is widely recognised as a critical stage in physical and cognitive development. Improving awareness and access to reliable health guidance during these early years is therefore an important component of efforts to support children’s long-term well-being.

A Training Programme Expanding Across the Province

The Oued Amlil session represents the fourth stage of a broader training programme that has already reached Aknoul, Tahla and Tainaste, according to Samira Bennasser, head of the health facilities network service at the provincial delegation of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

The programme aims to strengthen the skills of community-level workers so they can provide more effective guidance and help families navigate available healthcare services. Its approach combines professional training with practical resources intended to improve the quality and continuity of local support.

Hatem Qarmati, from the social action department of Taza province, said the initiative contributes to improving maternal and child health by encouraging better health practices among the communities concerned.

Bringing Healthcare Awareness Closer to Rural Communities

Beyond breastfeeding awareness, the initiative illustrates Morocco’s wider approach to community health, which relies on local actors to extend the reach of public services. By strengthening communication between families, mediators and healthcare professionals, the programme seeks to improve prevention, early guidance and access to appropriate care.

The effort also falls within the INDH’s third-phase programme dedicated to developing the human capital of younger generations. Maternal and child health is a key priority within this framework, particularly through preventive measures and initiatives designed to improve the conditions in which children grow and develop.

As the national breastfeeding campaign continues through November 20, the training in Oued Amlil highlights the role of local engagement in translating public health recommendations into everyday practice. Its longer-term impact will depend on the ability of trained mediators to maintain contact with families and connect them with appropriate health services.