Yemi Obafemi
In marking the World Breastfeeding Day 2024, Kaduna State Government have said the state is developing a strategy to address insecurity in the North-West Zone in order to create a safer environment that enables families to better support breastfeeding mothers
Speaking to journalist in Kaduna, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, she called for collective action to bridge the gap and ensure all mothers breastfeed in Kaduna State.
She said although the state has seen a concerning decline in early breastfeeding initiation rates, dropping from 35.9% to 13% as reported in the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Balarabe highlighted the government’s proactive efforts to address this trend and provide robust support for breastfeeding mothers.
Balarabe said despite the challenges such as ignorance, hunger, poverty, and insecurity but expressed optimism in addressing these issues through collective efforts.
She said, “Breast milk provides a safe, clean, and nutrient-filled formula that protects babies against many common childhood illnesses.
“For the governor, it is important to reduce infant and child mortality as targeted by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using the power of breast milk.
“Colostrum, the first milk that a mother produces, is the most potent natural immune system booster known to science which is why lactating mothers are encouraged to give it to their babies immediately after delivery.”
She further declared “I am proud to say that our governor, Senator Uba Sani, is leading the North-West Zone in framing a collective approach to the insecurity in the area, and I believe that soon the problem will be in the past providing increased opportunities for families to support breastfeeding mothers.
“Our human capital development programs will amount to naught if our babies do not survive and thrive. Let us all rise to close the gap and support breastfeeding for all in Kaduna State.
“Breast milk is central to the nurturing and survival of our babies and our humanity. Please let us close the gap created by none or poor breast-feeding of newborns.”
