WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK: GOVT SHOULD IMPLEMENT 24 WEEKS PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR WORKING NURSING MOTHERS — IMO COMMISSIONER

REPORTER: CHIZOBA OPARA

Governments and employers of labour
have been urged to enhance collaboration among working parents for optimal breastfeeding of babies as recommended by the World Health Assembly.

The Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Prosper Ohayagha, made the call in an event to mark the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week in the state with the theme “enabling breastfeeding, making a difference for working parents.”

According to Dr. Ohayagha, six months exclusive breastfeeding is one of the investments to save lives and improve the health, social and economic life of individuals and the nation at large.

The Commissioner explained that “breast milk provides ideal nutrition for infants, contains antibodies that help to fight off virus and lower the risks of both breast and ovarian cancers in women.”

Dr. Ohayagha advocated full implementation of 24 Weeks paid maternity leave for working nursing mothers, two weeks paternity leave for fathers for states yet to implement it and mandatory establishment of creches in both private and public work places.

The wife of the Imo State Governor, Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, expressed dismay over the 50% under five mortality rate recorded in the state by cluster survey 2021and encouraged mothers to follow the six months exclusive breastfeeding recommendations by the World Health Assembly to reduce infant deaths in the state.

Mrs. Uzodimma also promised to support good policies on exclusive breastfeeding in terms of provisions of friendly work environment by the government.

The event featured a road walk and presentation of cash gifts to three best breast fed children and gift items to all nursing mothers in attendance.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU

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