Cross River targets 80% rate in exclusive breastfeeding in 2016

Cross River Government has said it is ready to achieve about 80 per cent rate in exclusive breastfeeding of children by mothers in the state.
Dr Inyang Asibong, the state Commissioner for Health, said this on Thursday in Calabar at a one-day stakeholders’ advocacy and sensitisation dialogue on exclusive breastfeeding.
The event was organised by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Society for Family Health (SFH).
She said: “In 2014, we recorded 36.1 per cent; and in 2015 we have recorded 42 per cent. So, we are working hard to ensure that we achieve 80 per cent or thereabout in 2016.’’
The commissioner said that the figure was derived from the survey carried out in Child Welfare centres in 10 out of the 18 local government areas of the state.
She advised healthcare providers, especially doctors and nurses, to put in more efforts in disseminating proper health information necessary to support mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively.
“By this, exclusive breastfeeding rate will increase in Cross River,’’ Inyang said.
According to her, the ministry has put in place measures to sensitise service providers, communities and other interest groups on ways to promote, protect and support breast feeding in the state.
Mrs Boladale Akinkolapo, Deputy Chief of Party, Expanded Social Marketing Programme in Nigeria (ESMPIN), a subsidiary of SFH, described exclusive breastfeeding as very critical for growth and overall development of a child.
She said that exclusive breastfeeding was capable of improving a child’s cognitive ability as well as sharpens his or her academic prowess.
Akinkolapo said that the occasion was aimed at bringing all stakeholders to dialogue and advocate on issues relating breast feeding of babies exclusively.
She said that the occasion had as its audience nursing mothers, husbands and in-laws from Akamkpa, Odukpani, Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Bakassi and Akpabuyo local government areas of the state.
Inyang urged mothers with negative perception about exclusive breast feeding to have a change of heart, in view of its health benefits to the babies and mothers as well.
A nursing mother, Mrs Afiom Archibong, said that exclusive breastfeeding was very beneficial, adding that she had applied it during the birth of her two children.