Janet Ogundepo
To reaffirm its commitment to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes within communities in Lagos State and beyond, an advisory services firm, ACIOE Group, during the World Breastfeeding Week, sensitises no fewer than 200 mothers to best breastfeeding practices.
The Group, which comprises the ACIOE Associates and ACIOE Foundation, in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, trained the mothers across three PHCs in the state.
In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise, the group noted that breastfeeding was a timeless practice that provided unmatched benefits for mothers and babies.
The World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from August 1st to 7th every year. The theme of this year is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
In honour of the WBW, the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund, on August 1, called for an improvement in global breastfeeding rates.
In a joint statement signed by UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, and WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, stated that in the past 12 years, only 48 per cent of infants worldwide have been exclusively breastfed.
The WHO and UNICEF recommend that babies initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of life and be exclusively breastfed within the first months of life.
The agencies emphasise that breastfeeding provides all the energy and nutrients that infants need for the first six months of life and is important to ensure optimal growth and development for increased chances of survival.
The statement from the ACIOE Group read in part, “This natural nourishment has been a cornerstone of infant care for centuries, fostering a unique bond between mother and child while offering essential nutrients that support healthy growth and development.
“Recognising its importance, the World Health Organisation has designated the 1st to 7th of August each year as World Breastfeeding Week, a global campaign to promote and support breastfeeding.
“This year, under the theme “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” the ACIOE Group, in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, commemorated World Breastfeeding Week across three Primary Health Centres in Lagos State.
“The week-long celebration brought together over two hundred mothers at these health facilities, where they participated in interactive sessions on breastfeeding.”
It added that the health workers, together with the ACIOE staff, engaged the mothers in discussions that covered tips for successful breastfeeding, proper breastfeeding positions, overcoming common breastfeeding challenges, and balancing breastfeeding with work responsibilities.
The Group stated that the sessions equipped mothers with practical knowledge and provided a safe space to ask questions and share their experiences.
“The interactive nature of the discussions allowed for debunking harmful myths and addressing societal concerns, empowering mothers to make informed decisions about their breastfeeding journey,” the statement noted.
During one of the sessions, the Permanent Secretary for Lagos State Health District VI, Dr Cecilia Mabogunje, and the Director of Medical Services for District VI, Dr Osinachi Ubani, emphasised the far-reaching benefits of breastfeeding.
They noted that breastfeeding was “not just for the baby and mother but for the family and the community at large.”
The doctors further highlighted how breastfeeding supports the health and well-being of infants, reduces the risk of certain diseases, and fosters a healthier society by ensuring that the next generation is given the best start in life.
“Adding a touch of excitement to the commemoration, the sessions included a competitive quiz, where mothers were tested on their knowledge of breastfeeding practices.
“The winners were rewarded with gift items, courtesy of the ACIOE Foundation, as a token of appreciation for their participation and engagement,” the statement also noted.
The group further reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every mother has the support and resources she needs to give her child the best start in life.
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