.png)
By Madu Obi
The nutrition specialist in the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, Field Office, Enugu, Mrs. Ngozi Onuora, has said that it is a sin to deny any baby its mother's breast.
Speaking at the two- day media dialogue at Agulu, Onuora charged the media to bridge the information gap on exclusive breastfeeding.
Onuora, who delivered a paper titled, 'Closing the gap - Breastfeeding for All' which is the theme for this year's breastfeeding week, said the media needs to tell the world the existing gaps in breastfeeding.
According to her, promoting exclusive breastfeeding addresses the problem of inequality.
She lamented that none of the four states participating at the dialogue namely, Anambra, Benue, Cross River and Enugu, has met the target for the introduction of the baby to the breast immediately after birth.
She observed that while the global target for introduction of babies is one hour after birth, the four core states are recording far above the time, adding that the media has a lot of work to do in that regard.
"It is a sin to deny any baby its mother's breast. Breastfeeding should be unrestricted, whether born into the rich or poor family because it reduces child mortality.
"Breast milk contains 88% water and it is healthier than the baby formulas.
"There should be breastfeeding education in the school curricular. Breastfeeding saves life and protects the baby", she said.
Mr. Jerry Nwaeke, the Nutrition Data Officer, UNICEF Enugu Field Office gave the updated 10 steps to successful breastfeeding and the baby friendly hospital initiative.
His presentation, which is "the role of hospital staff in promoting successful breastfeeding", highlighted the critical management procedure that would ensure that breastfeeding facilities are provided in the baby friendly hospital initiative.
He urged the media to create awareness on the role of hospital management and staff in breastfeeding and push out the success stories.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Paul University, Awka and former Commissioner for Information and Economic Planning, Professor Chinyere Okunna, reminded the media practitioners that what they had come to do is a tough task because it is very difficult to convince breastfeeding mothers not to give their babies water.
She argued that because it is for the good of the baby, the campaign has to be embarked upon and it is the media that will fight the battle of convincing such mothers not to give their babies water in their first six months.
She said the media is well placed to effect behavioural change and set the agenda for the campaign to succeed because of its status - conferring function and gate keeping capabilities.
The Communications Officer, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, while giving the objectives of the meeting, said although UNICEF Enugu Field Office covers eight states, the four core states in the zone were chosen for the dialogue.
She said UNICEF will continue to work with the media to project its activities and expects the participants to draw media plans that would emphasize on zero water agenda for babies until the age of six months.
Problems that militate against exclusive breastfeeding were brought to the front burner, including the fact that many state governments do not take the campaign serious.
Kommentare