A non governmental organisation, Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria-CS-SUNN has emphasized the goodness and importance of breast milk as an essential antibiotics for babies.
Project Assistant Manager of CS-SUNN, Mr. Kunle Ishola made this known at a workshop in Kaduna in collaboration with Community Base Organizations-CBOs and Media on Breast Milk Substitute-BMS.
The Workshop which was a five-day programme was aimed at enlightening the public on the importance of Exclusive Breastfeeding-EBF and discouraging Breast milk Substitute from 0-6 months of childbirth.
Mr. Kunle Ishola said breast milk contributes to healthy growth of babies and Protection for them during their critical development.
He noted that breast milk also help mothers on health issue which makes them free from cancer, diabetes and ovarian diseases.
The Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the NGO, Mrs Jayne Arinze emphasized more on the need for 6 months maternity leave to be a law nationwide so that mothers would heal, rest, bond with their child and time for medical examination and reconcile with their family.
She pointed out that the maternity leave would help mothers exclusively breastfeed their child, stability in the mental and emotional well-being of the mother and also detection, reporting of postpartum depression and other complications would be done early.
The project manager, Ambrose Evhoesor in a remark also pleaded with Parents to always go for fortified foods for a healthy living of their child and family in general.
He also appealed to concerned Agencies especially NAFDAC to help in ensuring that manufacturers comply with fortified food policy for healthy lives.
The project manager also called on CSOs, CBOs and Media not to relent in reaching out to concerned citizens in ensuring effective compliance of EBF, maternity leave and fortified foods seriously by mothers in the state for the well-being of their family.
Fatima Aliyu