The Ekiti state government has advised nursing mothers in the state to embrace exclusive breastfeeding of their babies for the first six months of birth to enhance healthy growth of children.
The wife of the governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji spoke on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital while flagging off this year 2024 World Breastfeeding Week in Ekiti State, under the theme: “Closing the Gap, Break the Record, Break Barriers: Breastfeeding Support for All”
She explained that breastfeeding is key and crucial to sustainable development through increased nutrition and reduction in inequality across the world.
The governor’s wife who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Advocacy, Dr Eunice Fasanmi maintained that the administration of governor Biodun Oyebanji is doing everything possible to support pregnant and nursing mothers for them to embrace breastfeeding for healthy growth and immune booster.
Oyebanji said, “ Breastfeeding is the key to sustainable development strategies as it improves nutrition, ensures food security and reduces inequalities between and within countries. Findings have shown that investing in breastfeeding will prevent 13% of child deaths and morbidity if 90% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first month of life.
“ Globally, only 38% of infants are exclusively breastfed and suboptimal breastfeeding contributes to about 800,000 infant deaths, and 27.2% of children below 6 months are currently exclusively breastfed in Nigeria. According to NNHS, 2014, exclusive Breastfeeding rate in Ekiti state was 39.8%.
“ Thus, the state is still off track in meeting the global target of increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding to 50% and the effective coverage of 90% in there to achieve the maximum benefit from exclusive breastfeeding.
“ It is expected that by 2025, the current EBF rate should be increased to at least 50% and if this is to be achieved, sensitization and creation of public awareness on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding cannot be over emphasized.
“ Available data also show that if negative norms and beliefs surrounding breastfeeding, most especially giving water within the first month is stopped, exclusive breastfeeding rate will increase significantly.
“ Together, we can support breastfeeding and thereby help families in creating a healthy environment where all children thrive. We can ensure that every mother has access to skilled breastfeeding practices and being empowered to give her baby the best possible start in life.”
The commissioner for Health , Dr Oyebanji Filani who was represented by the permanent secretary, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Ogotun emphasized the importance of breastfeeding to babies and the society.
He said this year’s theme resonated with the government’s commitment to ensuring that all mothers in the state have access to comprehensive breastfeeding support.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE