The Kaduna State Government said on Friday that it would scale up efforts to promote early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding of infants below six months.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, stated this in Kaduna at a news conference organised by nutrition stakeholders in the state to commemorate the 2021 World Breastfeeding Week.
Some of the stakeholders are UNICEF, Alive and Thrive, Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria, Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, National Orientation Agency and other government agencies.
Balarabe said that optimal breastfeeding provided stronger immunity to babies; reduce the risk of diseases and infections by providing nourishment, including vitamins, minerals and other protective shields to the child.
She equally said that early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding also aided general growth, development and improved cognitive function of the child.
She, however, said that early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth in the state was 35.9 per cent, while that of exclusive breastfeeding stood at 27.2 per cent.
She said that social and behavioural change communication strategies have become very paramount considering the strategic importance of breastfeeding to the growth and development of a child.
According to her, the efforts will enable the state to protect, promote and support this high impact, low-cost and highly effective breastfeeding practice, among mothers.
“This is due to the significance attached to optimal breastfeeding to the growth and overall wellbeing of children and their future.”
She pointed out that so far, the government was implementing six months paid maternity leave for mothers working in the state civil service to enable them to exclusively breastfeed their children.
Balarabe further stressed that the state was providing conducive environment for mothers to adequately breastfeed their babies.
“This is being done through the implementation of the state policy on Food and Nutrition and Kaduna State Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition.
“We have also established creches at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development and Planning and Budget Commission among others to support lactating mothers to continue to breastfeed their infants.
“The state is also planning to expand the creation of the creches across other MDAs.
“Also, with the support of UNICEF and other partners, the state government has established nutrition corners across 23 Local Government Areas for counseling and demonstration on how to prepare nutritious meal for children,” she said.
The deputy governor added that healthcare workers have also been trained with Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) interventions set-up across in almost all the LGAs.
She thanked development partners for supporting the state technically and financially in scaling up optimal nutrition interventions to mothers, children, households and communities.
(NAN)
