Breastfeeding week: UNICEF urges Borno to implement six-month maternity leave
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Borno state government to implement a six-month maternity leave for mothers to breastfeed their babies.
According to the UN agency, the maternity leave will strengthen the bond between babies and their mothers for two years.
Speaking during the launch of World Breastfeeding Week (WBK), 2024, on Thursday in Maiduguri, UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie, said that the Borno state government should increase funding into the health sector to revitalise and sustain baby-feeding initiatives among mothers.
According to him, the state government should also gazette and operationalise the revised National Regulations on the marketing of breast milk substitutes.
He noted that this will protect children from the associated risks of inadequate breastfeeding for a minimum of six months.
Mr. Senesie added that the six-month breastfeeding could also prevent donations of breast milk substitutes to communities affected by prolonged conflicts.
“Besides the six-month maternity, Senesie added, “The government is to commence revitalising the baby-friendly initiatives.”
“Prioritise maternal, infant, and child nutrition interventions at the community level, as well as the engagement of health workers.
Declaring the launch open before the mothers, the Borno state first lady, Dr. Falmata Babagana Zulum, disclosed that four million children and women are facing malnutrition in the state.
She said that the current exclusive breastfeeding rate in the state stood at 35.3 percent, lamenting that the state is yet to reach 50 percent of exclusive breastfeeding.
Dr. Falmata, who was represented by the State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, urged stakeholders and development partners to take collaborative action towards exclusive breastfeeding for six months and sustain it for two years.
