The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Nkama revealed that the State has concluded plans to adopt the extended six months maternity leave for working mothers.
Dr. Nkama said part of the plans is the provision of baby creches by the State Government in all offices, to ensure that working mothers in government and private sectors breastfeed their infants for six months.
He made the disclosure during the official launch of the 2023 World breastfeeding week campaign with the theme ‘Enabling breastfeeding – Making a difference for working parents.’
He said that the week-long events serves as a reminder of the significant role that breastfeeding plays in maturing healthy communities and promoting well being of both mothers and children.
Enumerating the importance of breastfeeding, Dr Nkama maintained that breast milk provides essential nutrients, anti bodies and protection against various diseases for babies.
Flagging off the campaign in Abakaliki, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru urged all traditional, political leaders, policy makers, legislators, women, men, to become advocates of exclusive breastfeeding and support mothers across the state to practice it.
She called on mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding in order to improve the development of their babies, adding that the State Government remains committed to support, protect and promote breastfeeding as a veritable means towards eradication of childhood malnutrition in all its forms.
The Wife of the Governor Represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor, office of the First Lady, Mrs Jessica Uburu urged development partners to continue to protect, promote and support exclusive breastfeeding as this a fundamental rights of every child and mother.
The Nutrition Focal Person , USAID Breakthrough Action Nigeria Mr. Clinton Ofoegbu called on government to adopt the 2-weeks paternal leave for fathers to assist the mothers.
