The International Lactation Consultant Association®, ILCA® urges Member States to strengthen preparedness for future pandemics so that that pregnant and lactating women and their children are not left behind in a future pandemic or excluded from vaccinations or treatments.
Maintaining access to essential healthcare services during pandemics is imperative. Tailored actions should be proactively planned at all care levels to ensure continuity for breastfeeding support and no separation between mother and baby.
Pandemic-related urgencies should not overshadow essential care for women, infants, and young children or compromise decent working conditions of healthcare professionals.
ILCA is ready to support Member States in the development of a resilient continuum of care for pregnant and lactating mothers and their infants and young children.