RSG Recommits To Achieving Breastfeeding Target

The Rivers State Government has restated its commitment to achieving the target set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for breastfeeding.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Chike Princewill, who stated this during a press briefing to mark this year’s “World Breastfeeding Week”, said the target was to achieve, at least, 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding of children by 2025.
“Rivers State is committed to achieving this target, and will continue to promote enabling work environment, including social structure, that support mothers and their families in breastfeeding”, he said.
It is towards this end, the commissioner explained that stakeholders were invited to ensure that the genesis of breastfeeding was passed across.
According to him, efforts were already being made to get to the hard-to-reach areas of the state through such stakeholders as the media and National Orientation Agency (NOA) by creating necessary awareness.
“Other critical activities such as media appearance are also involved. Churches are involved where sensitization programmes are presented to churches and communities.
“The NOA has been contacted, and also involved in this particular activity arranged for the week”, he said.
Beyond this, the Commissioner also called for commitment by everyone in their various capacities in society.
The state health boss stated that “… not just the mother herself, but every member of the family will be involved”.
He continued that “the successes of these critical activities would require a strong committed social interest, community participation and dedication from all major stakeholders”.
Chike used the occasion to urge all and sundry to “promote breastfeeding as a child survival strategy and form foundation of life in infancy”.
This is in accordance with the theme of this year’s event, “Breastfeeding: Foundation For Life”.
The World Breastfeeding Week is marked from August 1-7 annually.

Sogbeba Dokubo