Use 6 months maternity leave to breastfeed babies — AbdulRazaq tells civil servants

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Thursday in Ilorin advised female civil servant to utilized the approved six months maternity leave to breastfeed their babies.

AbdulRazaq made the call during the launching of the State Policy on Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN)
and State Guidelines on Baby-Friendly Initiatives (BFI).

He explained that in 2023, the state government announced a six-month paid maternity leave for female civil servants.

“The state government in collaboration with the World Bank on the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project provided a Basic Package of Nutrition Services (BPNS) to children under five years

The governor who was represented by Dr Amina El-Imam, the Kwara Commissioner for Health said it also includes pregnant and lactating women across Primary Health Centers and communities in the 16 Local Government Areas.

He observed that optimal nutrition is important for the normal growth and development of all humans.

“However, children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers require additional attention for their health and well-being.

“A child’s first 1,000 days of life, from
conception till their second birthday, is the most critical period of brain development when all efforts and interventions must be deployed to prevent wasting or stunting.

“Stunted children do not perform well in school, resulting in drop-outs and poor bargaining power later in life,” he said.

AbdulRazaq declares nutrition as a health issue and also a major human capital development and economic concern.

He pleged that the state government will continue investing in nutrition, as it gives
children a head start in life and should therefore be a priority because of its
consequences for development and social stability.

“The state overnment has recently inaugurated the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) in line with the recommendation of the National Council on Nutrition, with adequate funding to coordinate multisectoral approach to addressing malnutrition,” he said.

Also speaking, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the wife of the Kwara Governor explained that breastfeeding is the most effective way to ensure a child’s health, and survival.

She added that it provides essential nutrients, enhances brain-development, and strengthens the immune system.

“Promoting exclusive breastfeeding encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life.

“Exclusive breastfeeding can prevent
malnutrition, reduce child mortality, and promote cognitive development,” she said.

Mrs AbdulRazaq reiterated that the government will continue to support health facilities and training of healthcare workers and educating mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding and proper infant feeding practices.

Also in her address, Dr Amina El-Imam, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajia Afusat Ibrahim, explained that the MIYCN policy is a comprehensive approach to improving the nutritional status of women and children in Kwara.

She added that it addresses the nutritional needs of mothers during pregnancy and lactation and the needs of infants and young children up to the age of five. (NAN)

============