Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District I, Dr. Olufunmilayo Bankole has urged citizens particularly, nursing mothers and pregnant women to support the drive of the State Government to entrench the culture of proper and exclusive breastfeeding in nurturing of babies and infants to healthy and productive members of the society.
Bankole, who made the call at an awareness and sensitisation programme in commemoration of the Y2023 World Breastfeeding Week, advised citizens, especially nursing mothers and pregnant women to ensure that children are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, adding that breastfeeding prevents hunger, malnutrition and ensures food security for babies.
She said the newly created Lagos State Health District I (comprising Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, and Alimosho LGAs) partnered with the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State to organize the programme. It commenced with an awareness walk within the environs of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, followed by a health talk on the benefits of breastfeeding for nursing mothers and pregnant women at the Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital and Ifako-Ijaiye Primary Healthcare Centre. The programme culminated with an advocacy visit to the Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government.
Bankole noted that the Y2023 World Breastfeeding Week, themed: “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents,” shows careful consideration. He stressed that employers of labor and working-class parents should understand the role of exclusive and proper breastfeeding in the upbringing and mental development of children.
She added that the State Government will continue to educate, inform and empower actors to provide and sustain breastfeeding-friendly environments for nursing mothers.
“Bankole noted that organizers thought out the Y2023 World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents” very well. He stressed that employers and working-class parents need to understand the role of exclusive and proper breastfeeding in children’s upbringing and mental development.”
However, She assured that the State Government will not relent in putting in place policies and strategies geared towards creating a conducive atmosphere for nursing mothers to practice proper and exclusive breastfeeding.
Also, The Permanent Secretary stated that beyond the world breastfeeding week commemoration, the Lagos State Government will continue to carry out advocacy and sensitisation programmes to constantly remind citizens of the benefits of proper and adequate breastfeeding for children.
Earlier, Hon. Usman Akanbi Hamzat, the Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, commended the State Government for organizing the sensitization programme. He added that the yearly commemoration of breastfeeding week celebration will go a long way in equipping citizens with adequate and right information about breastfeeding, which, he noted, will nurture members of society.
Speaking in the same vein, Dr. Bamidele Mustapha, the Medical Director of Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, encouraged mothers to prioritize the health and well-being of their children. He emphasized the importance of a strong commitment and dedication to exclusively breastfeeding them.
While urging all mothers to take advantage of the lessons learnt from the awareness and sensitization programme, Bamidele advised mothers not to time their babies during breastfeeding. He added that mothers should allow the child to derive maximum satisfaction from breastfeeding.
