Taraba celebrates world breastfeeding week amidst nationwide protest
By Adi Angyu
Taraba State on the August 1st 2024, joined the world Breastfeeding week commemoration with the wife of the Governor calling on women of the state to support and practice exclusive breastfeeding for their health and well being of the infants and children across the state.
The wife of the Governor, Mrs Agyin Kefas made the call on the occasion of the world breastfeeding week celebration tagged ‘closing the gap, breastfeeding support for all’ held on Thursday at the Catholic cathedral conference Hall, Jalingo .
The wife of the Governor represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bondiya Buma added that breast milk is the only food and drink the baby needs for the first six months of his life.
She pointed out that this administration has been disturbed by the unacceptable plight of maternal and neonatal deaths as well as the level of malnutrition in the State.
Mrs Kefas said that this ugly situation prompted her to forward a bill to the Taraba State House of Assembly titled ” Taraba State Maternity Benefits Establishment Bill” which when passed into law will regulate the employment of mothers in the State civil service to make provision for the establishment of creches in public work places for employees who are breastfeeding and nursing mothers.
In his address, the Chief of field, Bauchi office, Mohammed Kamfut described breastfeeding as an equalizer in the society, offering every child in the State and the world at large the best start in life, regardless of socio-economic status.
Mr Kamfut said that the importance of breastfeeding cannot be over emphasized due to its role in infants survival, health and well being.
They all called on father’s to support their wives on exclusive breastfeeding.
