The Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), says that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the state increased from 17 per cent in 2018 to 27 per cent in 2022.
Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu, made the disclosure at the opening of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) at the Maternal and Child Health Centre, Amawbia in Awka, on Thursday.
The WBW is celebrated on Aug. 1 to Aug. 7 every year, to raise awareness and galvanise actions to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
The theme for this year’s commemoration – ‘Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support.’
Ezenyimulu said that Anambra recorded an increase in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding due to intensified awareness and counseling programmes at health facilities.
“The figure of 27 per cent is still low and below the national target of 50 per cent by 2025..
“We are calling on residents to become advocates of exclusive breastfeeding and support mothers to practice optimal breastfeeding.
“The practice of exclusive breast feeding will ensure the provision of vital and adequate nutrients required for healthy and maximal growth and development as well as eradication of childhood malnutrition in the state,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr Afam Obidike, state’s Commissioner for Health, said that the efforts of the current administration were geared towards the promotion of maternal and child survival strategies.
Obidike urged fathers to support their breastfeeding wives as exclusive breastfeeding could be exhausting for mothers.
“A mother needs to be psychologically, physically and emotionally balanced to breastfeed optimally. Therefore, fathers should be there to provide all that the woman needs,” he said.
In his remarks, Cluster Coordinator representing the World Health Organisation and United Nations agencies, Dr Moses Ohamaeme, said that exclusively breastfed children become healthy and productive adults.
According to him, such children are protected from severe complications arising from childhood killer diseases.