ILCA recognises Primary Health Care as the foundation for achieving equitable Universal Health Coverage worldwide.

Today, the global health workforce is under unprecedented strain. Reduced funding, workforce shortages, burnout, and chronic underinvestment are placing increasing pressure on fragile health systems and threatening equitable access to care.

Resilient primary health care systems must include strong maternal, newborn, and child health services. Integrating lactation consultants into multidisciplinary teams strengthens support for families and helps protect and sustain breastfeeding across hospital and community settings.

Skilled lactation care increases breastfeeding rates, improves families’ experiences, and reduces healthcare costs associated with preventable infections and noncommunicable diseases. Investing in the lactation workforce strengthens population health, primary health care systems, and health system resilience.