A Traditional ruler in Bauchi State has attributed disregard for personal and environmental hygiene for recurrent malaria and cholera infections among the vulnerable groups particularly nursing mothers and infants.
The Katukan Bauchi who also doubles as the district head of Toro, Alhaji Umaru Adamu made this observation in Toro during activities marking world breastfeeding week organized by a Bauchi based NGO, African Community and Environmental Health Initiative ACE-HI.
He argued that campaigns in support of exclusive breastfeeding may remain a mirage unless households imbibe the culture of keeping their surroundings clean and practice good personal hygiene to improve the health status of women and children.
The Katukan Bauchi noted that since the two diseases strive where people engage in open defecation, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and fail to clear sewage, the spread of waterborne disease would remain inevitable.
Alhaji Umaru Adamu, therefore, appealed to nursing mother’s to “observe basic hygiene habits that involve boiling water and storing it in property sealed containers, washing hands after visiting the toilet and before breastfeeding children as well as to ensure that such women sleep under mosquito treated nets to save both mother and child from the dreaded diseases.”
Earlier, the Executive Director of ACE-HI, Mr John Abu said the project funded by USAID and being implemented by ProHealth International and Catholic Relief Services has impacted positively in the lives of the benefitting communities in Toro and Ningi LGAs of Bauchi State as men now realize the importance of breastfeeding.
“Husbands have to abide by experts advice that suggests exclusive breastfeeding for six months and subsequently for 2years or beyond as this guarantees defence against all forms of malnutrition and common childhood illnesses” John Abu added.
While reminding households that optimal breastfeeding practices can reduce neonatal and child morbidities and mortality rates as well as stunting, Abu John implored parents to ensure that their children enjoy nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods that can easily be sourced within the community.
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