Nasarawa govt. promises favourable work environment to promote exclusive breastfeeding
The Nasarawa State Government says it will create a favourable environment to promote exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in government offices in the state
Dr Jenet Angbazo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in the state made the promise on Monday in Lafia
She spoke during a rally organised by the ministry to commemorate the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week.
Angbazo said exclusive breastfeeding would address obstacles militating against achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
She said the theme of the celebration, “Let’s make Breastfeeding and Work, Work!” focused on breastfeeding and work, adding that it provides stakeholders a strategic opportunity to advocate for essential maternity rights that support breastfeeding.
The permanent secretary added that the challenges at work-place remained the common reason why women don’t do exclusive breastfeeding.
“We will, therefore, ensure that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state create friendly environment to support nursing mothers to do exclusive breastfeeding
“We will also lobby the state House of Assembly to increase the maternity leave from three to six months, this will encourage exclusive breastfeeding and enable the children grow well,” She said.
Wife of the State Governor, Hajiya Silifat Sule, said the importance of breast milk to the development of children cannot be overemphasised and called on nursing mothers to take it seriously.
Silifat said that breast milk is a gift from God and should not be substituted.
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She advised mothers to adopt the six months exclusive breastfeeding and continue to complimentary feeding thereafter
The wife of the governor, however, called on parents and guardians to entrust the care of their children to persons without questionable character, saying the “world is now full of evil.”
“Parents and guardians should closely monitor the activities of their children when they are not in the house with them,” Salifat said.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that Mrs Abigail Waya, the Head of Civil Service, all female permanent secretaries and Civil Society Organisations (CBOs), among others attended the rally.
