World Breastfeeding Week
Assistant Professor Dr. Sahar Mohammed Zaki,
Head of the Center for Research and Education in Women’s Health (CREWH)
August 3, 2026
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — In observance of World Breastfeeding Week 2026, Hawler Medical University conducted an educational outreach program hosting two academic seminars for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and newly married women across the region.
Organized by the Center for Research and Education in Women’s Health (CREWH) in coordination with the College of Health Sciences, the sessions bridged academic research and primary healthcare, translating evidence-based clinical science into actionable guidance for women and families.
Academic Leadership Translates Research into Community Care
The initiative brought together senior university researchers and clinical leadership to address key biological and practical dimensions of infant feeding and maternal health:
- "The Importance of Breastfeeding for Infant and Mother"
Presenter: Assistant Professor Dr. Sahar Mohammed Zaki, Head of the Center for Research and Education in Women’s Health (CREWH)
- Core Scientific Focus:
- Biomedical & Immunological Benefits: Detailed evaluation of bioactive components in breast milk, including secretable antibodies (IgA), functional oligosaccharides, and micronutrients essential for early neonatal immunity and gut microbiome colonization.
- Maternal Health Outcomes: Examination of long-term epidemiological evidence linking breastfeeding duration to reduced risks of maternal postpartum hemorrhage, type 2 diabetes, and specific gynecological malignancies (breast and ovarian cancers).
- "Methods for Successful Breastfeeding"
- Presenter: Professor Dr. Hamdia Merkhan Ahmed, Dean of the College of Health Sciences
- Core Clinical Focus:
- Practical Execution & Latching: Step-by-step methodology for optimizing body positioning, latch attachment, and milk transfer dynamics to sustain lactation and prevent premature weaning.
- Early Management of Obstacles: Clinical strategies for navigating common early-stage challenges, including engorgement, nipple trauma, and perceptions of insufficient milk supply during the immediate postpartum weeks.
Strategic Partnerships & Institutional Mission
The seminars were conducted in strategic cooperation with the Kurdistan Women’s Union to facilitate direct engagement with local families, with organizational support provided by Mustela.
The campaign demonstrates Hawler Medical University’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, public health promotion, and the active translation of academic expertise into practical guidance across the Kurdistan Region.
"Connecting university research with primary community care is fundamental to improving long-term health outcomes for mothers and infants. Through proactive education and outreach, academic institutions play a vital role in supporting families during the earliest stages of life."
Iraq, Kurdistan Region,