UNICEF Urges Six-Month Maternity Leave, Increased Support for Exclusive Breastfeeding in Bauchi.
By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:
In a renewed call to combat child malnutrition and reduce infant mortality, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged parents in Bauchi State to embrace exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office for UNICEF in Bauchi, emphasized that exclusive breastfeeding remains the most effective method to combat malnutrition in children, especially in the early stages of life. She expressed concern over the high number of malnourished children in the state and underscored the need for sustained efforts to promote breastfeeding practices.
Speaking at a press briefing, on the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week, Dr. Rafique called on the government to adopt supportive canpolicies such as granting six months maternity leave for working nursing mothers, which would enable mothers to stay home with their newborns and ensure proper breastfeeding without work-related disruptions.
She said there must be special arrangements for lactating mothers that will not only reduce child mortality but also lay the foundation for a healthier and more productive generation of Nigerians.
Dr. Rafique also urged the Bauchi State Government to fulfill its financial commitment to child nutrition.
She revealed that UNICEF and the state government have each pledged ₦300 million for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), aimed at saving the lives of severely malnourished children.
The Chief of Field Office, said, all hands must be on deck to support mothers in breastfeeding exclusively to promote healthy child spacing, improve family health, and reduce household healthcare expenses.
Also speaking, Mrs. Philomina Erene, Nutrition Specialist at the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, lamented that only two out of every ten babies in the state are exclusively breastfed.
She called on the media to amplify awareness about children’s rights and the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
She advocated for the creation of breastfeeding-friendly spaces in workplaces and government institutions, and reiterated the call for six months maternity leave, saying these measures would significantly ease the burden on working mothers.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Abubakar Sale Sabo Bara, the State Nutrition Officer at the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving breastfeeding practices through social behavior change initiatives.
He stated that the Board is intensifying efforts to sensitize parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the survival and wellbeing of children.
Sabo Bara said, saving children’s lives is the top priority of the Board, pledged to continue to push for greater awareness and improved nutrition outcomes across the state.
He said with collective action from government, communities, and development partners, stakeholders believe that child nutrition and survival rates in Bauchi can be significantly improved.
