Lady Fubara Tasks Communities On Support For Exclusive Breastfeeding

The wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, has reiterated the commitment of the State Government towards exclusive breastfeeding of infants in the state.

She, therefore, called on husbands community leaders and other organisations to give support to nursing mothers in the task of ensuring exclusive breastfeeding of babies and the infants.

Mrs Fubara stated this in Port Harcourt while flagging off the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week And World Breastfeeding Record Attempt.

The theme for the Week was ‘Closing The Gap, Break The Record, Break Barriers: Breastfeeding Support For All”.

The Rivers First Lady said fostering exclusive breastfeeding can make a difference in the health of community populace.

Mrs Fubara who was represented by the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, listed other benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to include boosting mother’s immune system, protecting the health of mothers, infants and young children from unnecessary attack from diseases and delay in a new pregnancy.

Describing the theme of the week as apt, she said the theme was a reminder that nursing mothers deserve the support of not just their husbands but other members of the society.

The guest speaker, Professor Alice Nte, said it was high time the Nigerian society broke the cultural barriers as far as exclusive breastfeeding is concerned.

While blaming high infant mortalities in the past on lack of exclusive breastfeeding, Nte called on mothers to prioritize exclusive breastfeeding especially in the first six months after delivery.

She also called on policy makers to provide conducive environments especially in health institutions for breastfeeding mothers while also urging nursing mothers to carry their babies to where ever they are going.

On his part, Executive Secretary, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Prof Kinikanwo Green, said the event would be replicated in all health centres across the State.

Green congratulated the State Government for the successful flag off of the programme, describing breastfeeding as a most important interventions in the prevention of under five malnutrition and morbidity as well as enhancing the economies of families

He said in closing the gap, the State is ready to breach all diversities as far as exclusive breastfeeding is concerned.

The Tide reports that the event was attended by thousands of nursing mothers across the State.

By:  Sogbeba Dokubo & John Bibor