Ebonyi State government yesterday launched the 2023 World breastfeeding week campaign.
The wife of the state governor, Chief Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru who flagged off the event in Abakaliki, said it was in a bid to create awareness, promote and sustain exclusive breastfeeding, especially for infants' health and survival in Ebonyi.
She noted that the theme for this year's week-long campaign was anchored on "Enabling breastfeeding - Making a difference for working parents."
The Ebonyi first lady called on mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding to improve the development of their babies.
According to her, the State government through her office remains committed to supporting, protecting and promoting breastfeeding as a veritable means to eradicating childhood malnutrition in all its forms.
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Governor, office of the First Lady, Mrs Jessica Uburu, who represented the wife of the Governor, urged development partners to continue to protect, promote and support exclusive breastfeeding as the fundamental right of every child and mother.
Also, Mr Moses Ekuma, the State Commissioner for Health, said the plans are on the way for the Ebonyi government to adopt the extended six months of maternity leave for working mothers.
He stated that the state government would provide baby creches in all offices, to ensure that working mothers in government and private sectors breastfeed their infants for six months.
He said that the week-long events serve as a reminder of the significant role that breastfeeding plays in maturing healthy communities and promoting the well-being of both mothers and children.
Ekuma emphasized the benefits of breastfeeding, stressing that breast milk provides essential nutrients, antibodies and protection against various diseases for babies.
High points of the event were the distribution of maternity kits to nursing mothers at Maternal and Child Health Centre Azuiyiokwu by the wife of the Governor.
