World breastfeeding week: Abia govt committed to supportive environment for mothers

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The wife of the Abia State Governor, Priscilla Otti, has expressed Abia State’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for mothers in the state.

Otti made this statement in Umuahia during the launch of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week organised by the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency with the theme: “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All”, calling on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to provide creche facilities for working mothers.

Represented by Mrs Blessing Felix, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Otti highlighted breastfeeding as a unique gift a mother can give to her child and a sacrifice blessed by God and encouraged nursing mothers to prioritize their own nutrition, as a healthy diet is essential for producing nourishing breast milk.

She disclosed that the state government has established breastfeeding-friendly hospitals and communities as well as trained healthcare workers to offer lactation support and advised mothers to visit primary healthcare centres in their communities for breastfeeding counselling and support, where healthcare professionals will address knowledge gaps and promote the numerous benefits of breastfeeding for children.

The Abia First Lady advised nursing mothers to confidently embrace exclusive breastfeeding, emphasising that they have the power to provide their children with the best possible start in life.

Speaking on the occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu described breastfeeding as “a divine provision for the healthy growth of children” and encouraged mothers to engage in the practice, noting that it not only nourishes the body and soul but also strengthens the bond between a mother and her children.

In his welcome address, Dr Kalu U Kalu, Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, explained that the purpose of World Breastfeeding Week is to raise awareness about breastfeeding and its benefits, noting that this year’s theme was chosen to address identified knowledge gaps, particularly the lack of information among women about breastfeeding.

A UNICEF representative, Mr Ephraim Chukwu expressed his appreciation for the Abia State Government’s efforts in organizing the event, stating that the initiative aims at achieving at least 50 percent coverage of breastfeeding by 2025.

Chukwu highlighted that breastfeeding, ideally initiated within the first hour after birth and exclusively continued for the first six months, is crucial for stimulating a baby’s development and ensuring survival.

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