ECOWAS member states have been urged to extend maternity leave to at least six months to improve child survival and strengthen maternal health outcomes across the region.

The Director of Healthcare Services at the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), Virgil Lokossou, made the call during a webinar at a regional engagement on maternal, newborn and child health on Thursday.

The session formed part of the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Health Ministers of the ECOWAS in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The meeting brought together ministers and key stakeholders to review health priorities, strengthen regional collaboration, and accelerate responses to emerging and endemic diseases across the sub-region.

Mr Lokossou said that exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most effective and low-cost interventions for reducing child morbidity and mortality, while also supporting the health and recovery of mothers after childbirth.

He said, “Aligning national labour laws with global recommendations on six months of exclusive breastfeeding will require bold policy decisions, particularly in extending paid maternity leave and creating supportive environments for nursing mothers.

“Strengthening maternal and child health requires more than policy; it demands people-centred decisions that protect women and give every child the best start in life.”

Mr Lokossou noted that beyond legislative reforms, governments must ensure that workplace policies, social protection systems, and community support structures were responsive to the needs of women and newborns.

He highlighted the need for employers, across both public and private sectors to adopt family-friendly workplace practices, including breastfeeding support systems, flexible work arrangements, and safe spaces for nursing mothers.

Discussions at the meeting also focused on the urgent need to mobilise domestic resources for health, particularly amid declining external funding.

The participants called on ECOWAS countries to explore innovative financing mechanisms such as dedicated health levies, protected budget lines, and establishment of institutions to manage community-based health funds.

They said that sustainable health systems must be locally financed, community-driven, and anchored on principles of equity and solidarity.

They also underscored the critical role of parliamentarians in translating regional recommendations into enforceable national laws, particularly those that protect the rights and well-being of women and children.

Feedback from participating countries indicated growing momentum, with several member states already taking steps to adopt the proposed measures.

Some public health experts said that improving breastfeeding practices could significantly reduce under-five mortality rates in West Africa, where preventable causes continue to account for a high proportion of child deaths.

In Nigeria maternity leave in most sectors remains below the recommended six months, a gap experts said could hinder optimal breastfeeding practices and affect child health outcomes.

The renewed push by ECOWAS is expected to accelerate policy reforms and strengthen regional collaboration aimed at improving the survival and well-being of mothers and children.

(NAN)