The Borno First Lady, Dr Falmata Zulum, has urged for implementation of six months maternity leave for nursing mothers by the Government to enable the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
Falmata made the call on Thursday in Maiduguri while flagging-off the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week.
Falmata, who was represented by the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, said the week constitutes a clarion call to collective action and collaborative efforts to precipitate transformative change.
She urged for establishing a comprehensive support framework comprising breastfeeding-friendly healthcare facilities, supportive communities, and accommodating workplaces.
“I fully support working mothers having six months maternity leave to practice exclusive breastfeeding.
“The theme ‘Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All’ highlights the imperative of inclusivity and universality in our pursuit of a breastfeeding -conducive environment, accessible to all individuals.”
“In alignment with the policy recommendation by the WHO-UNICEF-led Global Breastfeeding Collective, we issue a formal appeal for enhanced investments in comprehensive breastfeeding initiatives, improved breastfeeding counseling and support for women within healthcare facilities and community contexts,” Falmata said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Baba Malum-Gana, said series of activities has been lined up for the week such as interactive media sessions, lectures, advocacy visits to elevate public awareness and consciousness.
In his goodwill message presented at the occasion, the Chief of UNICEF Borno Field Office, Dr Tushar Rane, raised concern over the dwindling position of Borno in achieving the global target.
He urged for the cessation of promotional activities for breast-milk substitutes and the need to optimize integrated routine immunization activities and empowering parents to make informed decisions regarding the optimal nutrition for their infants.
Also presenting the message of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the State Coordinator of WHO, Dr Ibrahim Salisu reiterated commitment of WHO and other stakeholders in supporting Borno in promoting exclusive breastfeeding.
Salisu said breastfeeding remained the foundation for a lifelong health and wellbeing as well as a simple, cost effective, and natural way to provide infants with the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.
He noted that the key gaps in breastfeeding support include insufficient maternity leave policies, lack of workplace support and inadequate access to breastfeeding education and services in rural areas.
Others who spoke at the occasion where gifts were presented to some nursing mothers included the Executive Secretary of Borno State Primary Health Care Management Agency, and Head of Office of the World Food Programme (WFP).
