joshua
The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Zakari Alhaji Usman has charged mothers on the importance of making breastfeeding a must, pointing out that the many benefits of breastfeeding for babies cannot be overemphasized as it helps in the development of babies.
The Commissioner made the disclosure while addressing participants who took part in a road work to sensitize and educate the public on the benefits of breastfeeding.
The Commissioner explained that breastfeeding provides babies with the ideal nutrition for the first 1000 days, added that it increases the intelligent quotient development of the baby.
The Commissioner described that the benefits of breastfeeding far outweighs its negative consequences, described that breastfeeding has not been proven to have any consequences, says it reduces obesity in infants as they grow
He charged mother’s to embrace breastfeeding, pointing out that it reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, protects the baby from infection and diseases as well as help boost their immune system.
He said the Ministry would under his Leadership make the Sensitisation for breast feeding a continuous activities because of the benefits if embraced, adds that it lowers risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer, nurtures mother baby bond, lower risk of osteoporosis, improves birth spacing and Lower the risk of diabetes.
Earlier in his remarks, Ogundusi Bolarinwa Oladele, SPM ANRIN, says this year’s world breast feeding week has become apt in view of the drop and reluctance to breastfeed babies by mother’s.
While noting that the percentage rate for breastfeeding mothers stands at 29% disclosed that in Kogi State the percentage is 31%, disabused the mindset of mothers who detest breastfeeding, pointing out that it has no negative consequences.
He does the theme of this year’s breastfeeding week as very apt as it is focused on education and sensitization, pointing out that the mother and baby stand to lose in all ramifications if they fail to accept breastfeeding as a way of life in growing healthy children.
Mall Ahmed Suleiman, the communication Officer AYGF, maintained that Breastfeeding is not a choice but a responsibility that must be taken passionately and seriously by all mothers.
He equally recommended for a conscious continuous awareness and sensitisation of the importance of breast feeding by mother’s, called on mother’s to utilize the opportunity of the ANRiN program, an intervention that focuses on improving nutrition in child from 0-5 years and being implemented by AYGF across 111 wards in 10 LGAs in Kogi State to get more information and nutritional support.
