The wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Eno, has called for the establishment of breastfeeding centres in every work places to encourage nursing mothers who are working to engage in 6-month exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Governor’s wife made this known on Tuesday in an event commemorating the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week tagged “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making A Difference for Working Parents,” which was held at Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo.
The governor’s wife who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan noted that all women are natural caregivers saying that the advocacy for exclusive breastfeeding should be taken to various localities, churches and workplaces.
While stating that proper breastfeeding breeds a healthy population, the First Lady urged nursing mothers who are breastfeeding to wear comfortable clothes that allow them to breastfeed their infants at any time.
She said, “There is a need for breastfeeding centres to be set up in every work places. This will encourage nursing mothers who are working to engage in 6-months exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).”
The Governor’s Wife further solicited the collaborative support of wives of Local Government Chairmen in spreading the message at the grassroots for effective sensitization.
The Resource persons at the event mentioned numerous benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for both the baby and the mother including postpartum weight loss for the mother, lower risk of allergies, asthma, obesity, and chronic diseases for babies that may want to occur later in life. They concluded that breast milk is readily available, requires no preparation, and is more cost-effective compared to formula feeding.
