The Authorities of Cross River State has given approval for six months prolonged pay-maternity-leave for nursing and breastfeeding moms within the state’s workforce.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Well being, Dr Henry Ayuk, on Monday in Calabar throughout a briefing to commemorate the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) experiences that the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is well known yearly between Aug. 1 to Aug. 7, and the theme of the 2024 celebration is “closing the hole: breastfeeding assist for all.”
Ayuk mentioned the extension grew to become mandatory based mostly on the advantages of breastfeeding to the kid, mom and society at massive.
He mentioned statistics from UNICEF confirmed that Nigeria had the second highest burden of stunted kids on the earth, with a nationwide prevalence charge of 32 per cent of kids underneath 5 years, which was larger than the typical of the African area.
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In accordance with him, “an estimated 2 million kids in Nigeria are affected by extreme acute malnutrition and solely 17 per cent of infants are solely breastfed inside their first six months of age.
“In Cross River, obtainable information present that 23 per cent of kids underneath 5 years of age are stunted attributable to acute malnutrition, which is of nice concern to the state, therefore its emphasis on breastfeeding and little one diet.
“To additional reveal the state dedication an identical fund of N100 million to assist the acquisition of a number of micronutrients supplementation has been offered by the governor to assist the diet wants of malnourished kids and pregnant moms,” he mentioned.
The commissioner famous that they may now entry budgeted funds to implement diet programmes, in contrast to within the earlier administration within the state.
He added that other than assembly the optimum diet wants of the kid, unique breastfeeding helped within the little one’s immune system, mind growth, prevention of allergy symptoms, diminished threat of weight problems and sustaining a more healthy intestine.
On his half, Dr Bong Duke, Vice Chairman of the State Planning Fee (SPC), mentioned they had been shifting to non secular, organisations to advocate for the unique breastfeeding of infants within the first six months.
Represented by Mbong Ausaji, Everlasting Secretary in SPC, Duke mentioned the coverage thrust of Gov. Bassey Otu was to have probably the most wholesome residents within the nation come 2027.
Equally, Dr Gloria Archibong, a consultant of the World Well being Organisation (WHO), mentioned it was vital for all residents of Cross River to return collectively and assist the moms to apply unique breastfeeding.
She mentioned if this was accomplished, as time went on, each mom would see the necessity to really breastfeed their kids solely for the primary 6 months, which might, in flip, give beginning to more healthy and extra clever kids in Cross River.
NAN additionally experiences that the SPC in collaboration with the State Ministry of Well being and companions had been additionally going spherical main markets within the metropolis to sensitise the populace on the significance of unique breastfeeding.
