The Minister of Health, prof Isaac Adewole, on Tuesday, called on Nigerian mothers to engage in exclusive breastfeeding as it lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
He stated this in Abuja, at the flag off of the World Breastfeeding Week and Launch of Breastfeeding Advocacy Initiative (BAI).
The theme of this year’s event is ”Sustaining Breastfeeding Together”,
Adewole who was represented by Adebimpe Adebiyi, Director Family Health, FMoH noted that breastfeeding is the first natural immunisation for infants.
He said that not only those breastfeeding lowers risk of cancers but it also help in developing the child.
He said that exclusive breastfeeding is one of the effective proven strategies to combat malnutrition and other related conditions that contribute to infant and young child morbidity and mortality.
According to him, ”Adequate nutritional practices which begins with breastfeeding is the best way of providing newborns, infants and young children with the best nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
” Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information and the support of their family, health care system, and society at large,”.
”An investment case for breastfeeding, building upon the World Bank investment framework, and including country level data about the costs of not breastfeeding;
”And a scorecard assessing country level progress on reaching the seven policy recommendations outlined in the BAI Call to Action to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, with indicators and targets.
”It is hoped that this dissemination and expected media attention, will reinforce coverage for the purposes of advocacy for greater political commitment and investments.
The Minister therefore urged stakeholders including governments, institutions development partners, and donors to increase political commitments and financial investments for breastfeeding.
Adewole however encouraged Nigerian mothers to give 100 per cent to exclusive breastfeeding.
”When infant don’t receive the benefits of breastfeeding their immune system are weaker, healthcare cost are higher and as adult reduced intellectual ability and limits their productivity.
”Improved breastfeeding practices can also prevent nearly half of all diarrhea episodes and help all respiratory infections,” he added.
The United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) Country Director, Porter Doune who was represented by Simeon Nanama said it is regrettable that Nigeria looses at least 5.4 million under five every year being one of the top contributors to maternal mortality in the world.
He said, “Breast feeding benefits not only individual children and families but also the entire economy. The world bank’s new investment framework for nutrition for nutrition notes that every dollar invested in promoting breastfeeding can generate a return of $35 in economic benefits.”
LAIDE AKINBOADE-ORIERE
