OSUN State governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola on Thursday inaugurated a 13-member steering committee on the campaign for exclusive breastfeeding to reduce infant mortality by 13 per cent.
The committee was inaugurated to enhance the health sector and boost the culture of exclusive breastfeeding, thereby reducing infant mortality by 13 percent in Osun.
While inaugurating the committee which was chaired by his wife in Osogbo, the state capital, the governor contended that the initiative was designed to deliver health and vitality to the state and posterity, saying breastfeeding remained a global initiative which Osun had domesticated over the years.
Oyetola averred that his administration had resolved to adopt exclusive breastfeeding- feeding for infants, stressing that breast milk for the first six months of life-in full would build a new generation of healthy children who will be able to compete with their peers globally.
He maintained that the state under his watch would prioritise maternal and child healthcare as a response to the growing concern about the alarming increase in maternal and infant mortality rate in the nation.
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Oyetola expressed optimism that the initiative would complement the planned efforts to intensity awareness about breastfeeding as a foundation of child survival, health and development, and as beneficial for maternal health.
He, however, tasked members of the committee to put all machineries in motion not only to make the state a reference point in breastfeeding in the nation, but also to earn it a place in the global community.
According to Oyetola, “Conscious of the fact that the wealth of a nation is directly proportional to the state of health of its citizenry and the quality of its posterity, this administration has resolved to fully embrace exclusive breastfeeding so that the dream of delivering sustainable posterity and development to our dear state would be realised.
“Noting that breastfeeding is the foundation for life, the World Health Organisation states that breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to provide children everywhere with the best start to life.
“Thus, this decision would help to ultimately contribute to building a social movement in which breastfeeding is the social norm, and all mothers and families are empowered and supported to breastfeed.”
Wife of the Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola who doubles as the head of the committee, promised to take the campaign to every part of the state using various communication platforms and activities.