The Imo State first lady, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, has charged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for the optimal health of their babies.
She made this known during the flag off of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week held in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.
The governor’s wife who spoke on the theme: “Closing the Gap, break the record, break barriers: Break Feeding Support for All”, called on mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding which is a global event taking place every August.
Mrs Uzodimma, represented by the Women Affairs Commissioner, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, explained that breastfeeding is recognised as an important public health issue supporting babies’ lives.
Her words, “Let’s all be advocates of breastfeeding, no one should be a barrier. Make sure you breastfeed your babies for at least 1-6 months,” she stated.
She highlighted that the global event is meant to address under five mortality rate.
Mrs Uzodimma commended the Ministry of Primary Health, Social Services and Health Insurance, Imo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, UNICEF, WHO, and other partners that have supported the reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health programmes in the state.
She commended the wives of the governors for taking it upon themselves to see that about 30,000 women across the country breastfeed their babies simultaneously.
