The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), says it will strengthen support to promote breastfeeding among mothers to improve children’s health in Jigawa.
Dr Abigail Nyam, Nutrition Officer, UNICEF Kano Field Office, said this at the inauguration of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, on Thursday in Dutse.
The World Breastfeeding Week which began in 1992, aimed at creating awareness and support for breastfeeding.
The theme of the 2024 Week is: “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All”, designed to improve the health as well as promote, protect and support the rights of women to always breastfeed their babies.
She stressed the need for mothers to adhere to the experts’ advise on breastfeeding in order to dispel the myths surrounding exclusive breastfeeding.
According to Nyam, breastfeeding is crucial for survival, health and well being of infants and young children, adding that it protects them against illnesses and provides essential nutrients for child development.
“The 2024 focus of the week is reducing inequalities that hinder access to breastfeeding. Vulnerable mothers require additional assistance to ensure children are well breastfed.
“By improving breastfeeding support in Nigeria, we address the social inequalities that stand on the way of sustainable development and public health.
“Breastfeeding acts as an equaliser in the society, offering every Nigerian child the start in life, regardless of socio-economic status,” Nyem said.
She also commended the Jigawa government for its support to the UN agency.
The state Commissioner for health, Dr Abdullahi Kainuwa, quoted Quranic verses that enjoined mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies.
He said that breastfeeding protect children against diseases and provides their effective wellbeing.
Also, Ahmad Garba, the state Commissioner for Local Government, donated motherhood kits and token to 500 lactating mothers.
According to him, the ministry is working in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and Primary Healthcare Agency, to ensure safe motherhood.
The Wife of the State Governor, Hadiza Namadi, pledged sound programmes to promote the cause of mothers and children in the state.
Represented by Hadiza Abdulwahab, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Namadi advocated for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of babies.
