The Nasarawa State government has stated its plans to establish a breastfeeding desks in all government offices across the state.
This was made known by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Janet Angbazu, in Lafia during a chat with journalists Wednesday, to mark the 2023-World-Breastfeeding-Week in the state.
The government said, will ensure a breastfeeding-friendly environment and end breast milk malnourishment of infants mothered by civil servants.
The permanent secretary said, “Breastfeeding addresses inadequacies that stand in the way of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Dr Angbazu explained further that the theme of 2023 edition of breastfeeding year focuses on breastfeeding and work, providing a strategic opportunity to advance the essential maternity rights that support breastfeeding.
She identified that workplace challenges remain the most common reason women stop breastfeeding before the recommended period.
“We will therefore ensure that all Ministries, departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state create breastfeeding-friendly environments to support mothers.
“We will also lobby the state House of Assembly to increase the maternity leave from three to six months to encourage exclusive breastfeeding and to enable children to get all the necessary nutrients,” the permanent secretary noted.
The wife of the state governor, Hajiya Silifat Sule, cited the importance of breast milk in the development of the child, hence, the need for mothers to take breastfeeding seriously.
Hajiya Silifat stated further that breast milk is a gift from God and cannot be substituted, while encouraging mothers to adopt exclusive breastfeeding and still breastfeed their children alongside other foods after six months.
The First Lady then urged parents to be careful with who and to whom to entrust their children, as the world is full of evil.
“Parents and guardians should closely monitor the activities of their children, even if they are not in the house with them,” she added.
The rally organized by the Ministry of Health was attended by the First Lady of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Silifat Sule, the Head of Civil Service, Abigail Waya, all female Permanent Secretaries, and Civil Society Organizations among other stakeholders.
