Faith Teniola Fri 05-Aug-22 11:08:12

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The Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, says that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the state increased from 17 per cent in 2018 to 27 per cent in 2022.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu, disclosed this at the opening of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week held at the Maternal and Child Health Centre, Amawbia in Awka, on Thursda

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that WBW is celebrated from August 1 to 7 every year, to raise awareness and galvanise actions to promote exclusive breastfeedin

The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support

Ezenyimulu said that Anambra recorded an increase in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding due to intensified awareness and counseling programmes at health facilitie

“The figure of 27 per cent is still low and below the national target of 50 per cent by 202

“We are calling on residents to become advocates of exclusive breastfeeding and support mothers to practice optimal breastfeedin

“The practice of exclusive breastfeeding will ensure the provision of vital and adequate nutrients required for healthy and maximal growth and development as well as eradication of childhood malnutrition in the state,” she sai

Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said that the efforts of the current administration were geared towards the promotion of maternal and child survival strategie

Obidike urged fathers to support their breastfeeding wives as exclusive breastfeeding could be exhausting for mother

“A mother needs to be psychologically, physically, and emotionally balanced to breastfeed optimally

“Therefore, fathers should be there to provide all that the woman needs,” he sai

In his remarks, Dr. Moses Ohamaeme, Cluster Coordinator representing the World Health Organisation and United Nations agencies, said that exclusively breastfed children become healthy and productive adult

According to him, such children are protected from severe complications arising from childhood killer disease

Source: [email protected]

N)s.s.d.. s.s.d.g.5.s.’.g.y.od killer diseases.

(NAN)