By: Rozzita Iwunwa
IMO STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY,MINISTRY OF HEALTH IN COLLABORATION WITH UNICEF, SENSITIZED STAKEHOLDERS ON EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AND BENEFITS OF ZERO WATER.
Rozzita Iwunwa
As the activities to mark this year’s World Breastfeeding week draws to an end , the State Ministry of Health, IMO State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ISPHCDA) in collaboration with UNICEF have organized a one day sensitisation meeting for stakeholders on Zero Water Campaign, importance of exclusive breastfeeding and adequate cmplementary feeding.
The Stakeholders which comprised of representatives from Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dietitians Association of Nigeria, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Association of Paediatrics Nurses, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)Imo State Chapter, Civil Society Organizations, Non Government Organisations, Director of Primary Health Care Coordinators across the LGAs in the State, were addressed by the Executive Secretary ISPHCDA, Rev.Sis.Dr Maria_Joannes Uzoma, who urged them to go back to their various places of work and embark on radical campaign and sensitization on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
Rev Sis. Uzoma emphasized that adequate breastfeeding is very important to the health and well-being of both child and mother.
“Breastfeeding is beneficial to both child and mother. When you breastfeed the child, it helps to burn down fats gotten during pregnancy and also helps in the growth and development of the child.”
Rev.Sis. Uzoma frowned over the attitude of some nursing mothers in the state who do not like breastfeeding their babies and quash the assertion and believe that mothers that breastfeed would have a sagged breast .
She maintained that ” early suckling will help the breast milk to flow. That prolactin and oxytocin are provoked to produce milk and more effective at night.”÷
In his lecture titled “Current Status of Nutrition in Imo State”, the State Nutrition Officer, Etienne Ezenwa Obidaa said that Nigeria ranks number one in Africa and number two in the entire world as a country with the most of number of malnourished children whereas in Imo, 17.6 percent of the population of children are stunted while 10 percent are underweight.
“There are 40 million children in Nigeria, 17 million are stunted,”
” The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Imo using cluster survey 2021 is 12.6 percent while early initiation to breastfeeding is 6.7 percent the lowest in the country”
He urged parents to adequately breastfeed their children within the first 1000 days of life, adding that
45 percent of all deaths of under 5 children are as a result of malnutrition”
Meanwhile, a Consultant Paediatrician, Dr. Odinakachukwu Kelechi while presenting his papers titled “Enabling Breastfeeding Making a difference for working parents” described breastfeeding as the foundation of a child’s survival, health, growth and development.
Dr. Kelechi called on those in authority to institute baby friendly laws that would enable working parents to take adequate care of their child, such as maternity leave and benefits for breastfeeding mothers as well as paternity benefits for the men .
“Adequate Breastfeeding ensures the survival of under 5 children.
Colostrum is regarded as the first immunization a child receives immediately after birth .it is the first meal a child gets. It confers immunity and protection against infection. “
Moreso, Mrs. Lois Onyeike during the presentation of her work titled “Infant, Child and Maternal Nutrition frowned over the neglect of lactating mothers especially by the family and society.
Mrs. Onyeike called on authorities in Imo State to come up with a guideline on care for lactating mothers.
She canvassed for the establishment of health facilities where lactating mothers would be cared for to avoid malnutrition during the next pregnancy.
Pregnancy and lactation demands appropriate diet.
She pointed out that “World Health Organization recommends 2 extra meals during lactation and 1 extra meal during pregnancy.”
the program officer, Baby Friendly Initiative, in the state ministry of health, Suzanne Nkemakolam thanked the Stakeholders and other participants for making the program a success.
