Niger state government is among the few states in Nigeria that has achieved the Abuja declaration of dedicating 15 percent of its budget to the health sector.
State Commissioner of Health and Hospital Services Dr Mohammed Makusidi said this while addressing Newsmen to commemorate the twenty twenty two World Breast Feeding Week in Minna.
Represented by the Director Planning Research and Statics Pharmacist Hamza Tijjani Yahaya the Commissioner explained that during the Covid19 pandemic about forty five percent of ministry of Health budget was dedicated to health sector in Niger state.
Dr Mohammed Makusidi maintained that Niger state government will continue to accord priority to the promotion and development of health sector in view of its importance to the socio economic development of its people.
On exclusive breast feeding he appealed to Journalists traditional and religious leaders as well as well critical stakeholders to redouble efforts at disseminating the message to all household in Niger state to achieve maximum results.
Dr Mohammed Makusidi said exclusive breast feeding for six month and zero water would no doubt increase the health of new born babies and decrease to a large extent cases of breast cancer as well as reduction of high blood pressure.
He however thanked Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state for his support to the ministry in addition to his wife Dr Amina Abubakar Bello which he was said was responsible for all the successes recorded and applauded Journalists for the positive role they have played in achieving this height and called for more to succeed.
Team leader UNICEF Kaduna field office Dr Idris Gabe represented by Mrs Chinwe Eziefe while appreciating Niger state government for its commitment in the project said they will continue to collaborate to achieve the set target.
The theme of the twenty twenty two World Breastfeeding Week is Step Up Breastfeeding Educate and Support World Breastfeeding Week.
Cov Aliyu Lawal