Paediatricians at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, have asked institutions and organisations nationwide to support breastfeeding staff and their families and help bridge the gap associated with breastfeeding.
The paediatricians advocated this at an event commemorating World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) organised by the Department of Paediatrics, BSUTH, Makurdi.
The theme of the 2024 WBW is ‘Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all’.
The host and head of the Department of Paediatrics, BSUTH, Prof Edwin Eseigbe, highlighted the theme of the celebration. They enjoined institutions as well as corporate organisations to: Support six months of fully paid maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers, Institute workplace rules that encourage breastfeeding on demand while at work; establish a conducive mother and child-friendly creche; and Support staff development in the promotion of breastfeeding as well as child, youth, and maternal nutrition in general. He commended the Federal Government for strengthening maternal and child nutrition in the country through the Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) programme.
In response, the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Dr Stephen Hwande, appreciated the Department of Paediatrics for commemorating this year’s celebration and its exemplary breastfeeding promotion. He highlighted successes achieved by the current hospital administration and attributable to the exceptional support of the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev. Fr. (Dr) Hyacinth Alia. These are in providing qualitative health care services, expanding health care delivery, and promoting staff welfare, including breastfeeding and potential mothers in the hospital since his assumption of office a couple of months ago. He acknowledged that institutions are crucial in supporting breastfeeding among their workforce. This has been done by: Carrying out a complete renovation of the hospital’s creche, Supporting workplace breastfeeding with rules to encourage breastfeeding on demand, and supporting the training of staff to acquire the necessary skills to implement breastfeeding policies and other relevant maternal and child nutritional practices.
He further announced the support of printing 2000 Antenatal care and maternal and child nutritional educational materials for dissemination to all who visit the hospital to access health and related services.
The paediatricians who spoke at the event were Drs Aondoaseer, Ogiator, and Agbedeh.
Other guests at the celebration and who spoke glowingly about breastfeeding included: Prof S. Hembah, Deputy Provost, Benue State University, Makurdi; Prof Andrea Ornguze, Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BSUTH; Dr Patience Okpeh, President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Benue State Chapter; Mrs. Bukola Adebayo, Head of Nursing, Department of Paediatrics, BSUTH; and Mrs. Dorcas Ahenjir, Head of Nursing, Department of O&G, BSUTH.
Other activities at the event included health talks and interactive sessions with participants on the benefits of breastfeeding, Overcoming barriers to successful breastfeeding, and Outcomes of exclusive breastfeeding and zero water practice. The participants included Pregnant women, Nursing mothers, Visiting fathers, Staff of BSUTH, Clinical students at Benue State University, Members of MWAN, Benue State Chapter, and Members of the press.