The Executive Secretary, Yobe Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Babagana Machina, has highlighted one of the benefits of breastfeeding to include reducing the risk of breast cancer and maternal obesity.
He stated this in Potiskum on Wednesday at the inauguration of the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week.
According to him, six months of exclusive breastfeeding minimises childhood infections and increases intelligence in babies.
He noted that breast milk is a unique nutritional source that cannot be replaced by any other food, including well-formulated infant formula.
Dr. Machina, therefore, called on critical stakeholders to assist in promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the healthy development of babies.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Yobe State Ministry of Health, Alhaji Abdullahi Jawa, said the week-long event is themed, ‘Enable Breastfeeding – making a Difference for Working Parents, and expressed optimism that the event would foster the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers.
He said Governor Mai Mala Buni, recently approved the expansion of the state’s free maternal neonatal and child health services to cover all pregnant women and under-five children.
The permanent secretary said the approval was part of efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that highlights of the occasion included the presentation of gifts to 11 women who exclusively breastfed their babies for six months.
(NAN)
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