World Breastfeeding Week: USAID/Breakthrough ACTION sensitise husbands, mother in- laws, others in Kebbi

World Breastfeeding Week: USAID/Breakthrough ACTION sensitise husbands, mother in- laws, others in Kebbi

The USAID/ Breakthrough ACTION, Nigeria (BA-N) Project, in collaboration with Kebbi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), have sensitised breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, husbands, and community/religious leaders on vital support to exclusive breastfeeding in the state.

The Breakthrough ACTION Kebbi state Nutrition Assistant, Hajiya Rahila Abudullahi-Aiki, said at the town hall meeting with stakeholders in Malisa, Gwandu LGA on Thursday, that program was aimed creating public awareness and anchor breastfeeding support as a vital public health responsibility.

She said,” The meeting is organised by USAID Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria in close collaboration with KSPHCDA and Integrated Health Project (IHP) to commemorate the World Breastfeeding Week, 2021 to generate public consciousness about the importance of breastfeeding for both the mother and the baby’s health as it ensures child health and survival.

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“Hence, the message to promote and support breastfeeding for smart, strong and healthy babies.

“Government, private sector, community leaders and families can work together to promote and facilitate breastfeeding to protect women’s health and ensure children are able to survive and thrive.”

In his remarks,Malam Yusuf Umar-Sauwa, the State Health Educator and Promotion Officer, Ministry of Health, said that embracing breastfeeding as a shared responsibility would go along way in ensuring the promotion of public health and healthcare development in the state.

“Breast milk still remains the most cost-effective yet complete nutrition for the baby’s survival, healthier growth and development.

“This year’s week is aimed at offering people every knowledge about the positive effect of breastfeeding, especially in promoting and supporting of exclusive breastfeeding which is a high impact intervention for ensuring child survival, growth and development,” Umar-Sauwa said.

He further explained that the key message to this year’s World Breastfeeding Week was for everyone to recognise their role and responsibility in protecting breastfeeding.

“We, therefore, call on husbands, community leaders, traditional leaders, health system, governments as well as individuals to support mothers to initiate early breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding for six months, as it will go a long way in reducing malnutrition rate in the state.

“Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should be supported by their husbands and families to eat extra small meal or snack each day to provide energy and nutrients needed for them and their growing baby.

“The leaders should motivate and educate community/ followers on optimal breastfeeding practices and encourage them to adopt these practices,” the promotion officer said.

Also speaking, the State Nutrition Officer, KSPHCDA Mrs Beatrice Kwere, represented by Malam Altine Muhammad,commended the USAID/ Breakthrough ACTION for their efforts in ensuring the promotion and practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

“I commend USAID and Breakthrough action for their efforts, especially through the activities of community volunteers who visits households and conduct community meeting to encourage the adoption of MNCH+N behaviors, same as religious and traditional leaders and through the use of various media channels.

” We urge the participants to utilise what they were taught and cascade same to the general public as part of their contribution to the development of health sector in the state.

“Breastfeeding mothers should desist from feeding their babies with artificial milk and water as first food, as such does not contain the colostrum of mother’s milk which is very essential for the child’s wellbeing,”Kwere urged.

The World Breastfeeding Week is an annual celebration which is held every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 120 countries.

The theme for this year’s week is, ‘Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility’.