UNICEF, ENUGU STATE GOVT, OTHER HEALTH PARTNERS INSIST ON EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING
REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has emphasized the importance of six months exclusive breastfeeding of infants by their mothers.
According to UNICEF, exclusive breastfeeding is vital for child survival, wellbeing and development as it contains all the basic nutients, infants need, including water.
The organization also emphasizes that breastfeeding in its entirety, strenghtens the bonds between mothers and their children.
The Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Ngozi Onuora, gave the advice during the ceremony marking the commencement of this year’s(2024), World Breastfeeding Week, in Enugu.
Mrs. Ngozi Onuora noted that the theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding week which is, “Closing the Gaps: Breastfeeding Support for All,” is a clarion call to families, government and other stakeholders to provide enabling environment and policies for nursing mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies.
She described breastfeeding as an affordable and effective way of ensuring the nutrition of babies, noting that the breast milk protects them against certain diseases and ensures the babies’ physical and mental development.
Mrs. Ngozi Onuora, however, lamented that introduction of water in the first six months of life is the major barrier to achieving optimal exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria, particularly Enugu State.
She advocated increased funding to implement zero water campaign across local government areas at a scale and intensity needed to yield the desired results.
Earlier in an address, while inaugurating the 2024 breastfeeding week in Enugu, the wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah noted that the challenges, misconceptions and harmful practices nursing mothers face, such as introducing water and other food supplements within the first six months of the baby’s life, could undermine the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
She explained that those challenges could be addressed through sustained collaboration between government and UNICEF on critical areas such as advocacy and sensitization of nursing mothers to exclusive breastfeeding.
The Governor’s wife stated that the event, heralding the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week in Enugu State was put together by the Ministry of Health, the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, UNICEF and other development partners.
In separate speeches, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, and the State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikechukwu Obi, said that the event aimed to promote exclusive breastfeeding which is vital for child survival and development.
They emphasized that breastmilk is the best immunization for babies as it contains enzymes, antibodies, and hormones that protect them against infections and allergies.
Dr. Ani-Osheku, said at workplaces,
breastfeeding mothers should be supported psychologically and be provided with a place to breastfeed their babies, while paid maternity leave should be instituted.
Over 1,000 lactating mothers and their infants attended the event.
Dignitaries, including, Secretary to Enugu State Government, the State’s Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Representatives from World Health Organization (WHO) and other Oversea Development Partners, alongside Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the leader of Yoruba community in Enugu and representative of Muslim community in Enugu, took out turns to emphasize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
Highlight of the event was presentation of gifts to mothers who breastfed their babies the most.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
