WBW: Nigeria Targets 50% Exclusive Breastfeeding by 2030
The Federal government is working in collaboration with development partners to achieve 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding by 2030.
The Nutrition Officer, Nutrition Division of the Federal Capital Territory Primary Healthcare, Chinyere Ekwueme disclosed this at the lag off for World Breastfeeding Week in Abuja at the weekend.
She said the FCT exclusive breastfeeding rate rose to 52 per cent in 2017 only to drop to 38.9 per cent in 2021 due to a decline in the sustenance of the hospital exclusive breastfeeding initiative introduced to fast-track the rate.
The World Breastfeeding Week is conducted annually from August 1-7th to support breastfeeding, including early initiation from one hour after birth to six months, and two years and above then continue breastfeeding with appropriate complementary feeding.
Recall that in 2016, the FCT exclusive breastfeeding rate was 52 per cent but declined in 2021 to 38.9 percent and this data came from Indicator Cluster Survey 2021 conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health every five years.
Ekwueme, who was represented by Deputy Director, Ngozi Nnenna Ezeh, promised that the FCT PHC would continue to explore all available to increase adoption of exclusive breastfeeding among the FCT women with a goal to achieve global standards.
Speaking on their plan for this WBW, Ekwueme said, ‘‘We are here to sensitise caregivers and the whole populace on proper breastfeeding in the life of a child, family, and nation. We are making progress, just as we are trying to sensitise both men and women.
‘‘The percentage was initially 52 per cent but is now low based on Multiple Indicator, MICs. It was higher in 2017 until it dropped in 2021.’’
On why the rate dropped, she said, ‘‘There was a hospital Breastfeeding Initiative introduced to boost EBF and overtime the initiative dwindled, that is why the FCT is trying to revitalise the initiative.’’
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She called on all nursing mothers not to compromise successful breastfeeding of their children to prepare them for a healthier and happier future.
‘‘Breastfeeding all children from 0 to six months and with appropriate complimentary after 6 months and two years above is critical. Every mother can breastfeed as far as nature is concerned, the more the woman breastfeeding the more the breast flow. But the woman needs support, if not stress will affect Oxytocin reflex; she will not be able to breastfeed maximally,’’ she explained.
Speaking on some of the dangers of not breastfeeding a child, the Director said any child denied EBF would not have adequate nutrients, which increases child mortality and morbidity, and again, the child will have more chances of respiratory infection. ‘‘There is also danger to the family, spending more to feed him and treat him. It favours the family, community, and nation at large,’’ she added.
In a goodwill message, the Country Director, Helen Keller International, Mohammed Ali, said the importance of EBF cannot be over-emphasised, hence the decision of Hellen Keller International to partner with the Federal Ministry of Health to draw the message EBF home to all Nigerian home in FCT and the 36 states of the federation.
Ali, who was represented by the Nutrition Specialist on Advanced Nutrition, Nigeria, Taiwo Aladusanmi, said, Hellen Keller is currently commemorating with the 36 states across the country. ‘‘Hellen Keller is one of the sponsors of EBF and our women are sensitised for adequate breastfeeding, initial breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding, and also the complimentary breastfeeding after six months.
‘‘We have been supporting the Ministry and Social Welfare, we have been implementing SDGs programs in 13 states in collaboration with the ministry. We are looking to move from the current 34 per cent to 50 per cent global standard by 2030. Across all the nation, we are looking at global standard come 2030.’’
One of the beneficiaries, Nehima Musa, who expressed her joy said, ‘‘I feel happy because they taught us how to feed our children exclusively so that they will feel better and reduce infection. I am also happy that they gave us food items.’’
