World Breastfeeding Week is a worldwide celebration to commemorate the `act of breastfeeding’ and its benefits to the mother, child, and the community at large. The theme for this year’s breastfeeding week was; “Step Up For breastfeeding: Educate and Support”. Rivers State was not left out in this year’s celebration which was held from the 1st to the 7th of August 2022.
Breastfeeding is one of the widely recognized practices that can prevent malnutrition, support optimal growth and development for infants and reduce the risk of certain cancers for breastfeeding women. Nearly 823,000 children under 5 years old and 20,000 women could be saved annually if optimal breastfeeding practices are universally adopted.
The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB) was excited to join the global community in a very colorful style to elevate the vital role of breastfeeding to reach broader maternal and child survival goals. Attaining optimal breastfeeding goals requires collective responsibility. Breastfeeding is more than one person’s job, however, in many places around the world, women shoulder the responsibility alone or with very little support.
In recognition of the fact that scaling up breastfeeding worldwide requires broad-based support, RSPHCMB promotes a collective responsibility that families, communities, health system, government, and development partners must champion breastfeeding together. Our organization supports mothers and children to overcome breastfeeding obstacles by empowering health workers to provide and sustain breastfeeding-friendly environments, increasing quality lactation education and care, restoring and transforming breastfeeding systems.
The Board in collaboration with the 23 Local Government Areas joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week held between the 1st and 7th of August. The state team activated all structures on the promotion of the benefits of breastfeeding to the populace through radio talk shows/phone in programmes, television, road shows/rallies, and church sensitizations.
The other activities organized for the celebration of 2022 world breastfeeding week included baby shows, engagement/sensitization meetings with stakeholders (fathers, youths, chiefs, women leaders, drivers, the media, and religious leaders), gift presentations to mother/child pairs and radio jingles on the importance of breastfeeding on Rivers State Television, Nigeria Info, Treasure FM and Radio Rivers FM.
Health personnel reinforced the messages during health talks, and breastfeeding counseling sessions. The RSPHCMB equally launched social media campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp using the hashtags #WBW2022, #educateandsupport, #SDG’S #2022worldbreastfeedingweek #WABA.
The team also paid advocacy visits to the Forum of First Ladies (Wives of LGA Chairmen) of Local Government Areas and the Deputy Chairman of Port Harcourt City LGA of Rivers State. First ladies of Port Harcourt City, Ahoada East, Opobo Nkoro, Ogu/Bolo, Obio Akpor, Andoni, Tai, Bonny Oyigbo, and Okirika LGAs participated effectively in their respective LGAs and presented gift items (wrappers, children’s plates, and spoons) to breastfeeding mothers. Obio/Akpor Primary Health Care Authority decorated her first lady while the Executive Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of Ahoada East LGA were awarded Breastfeeding Champions and Breastfeeding Advocate respectively.
The Board also worked with Partners including the Association for Family and Reproductive Health (AFRH) and Nutrition International who supported advocacy while the churches provided the platform to sensitize congregations on the benefits of breastfeeding.
A one-day capacity-building exercise was successfully held for Nutrition Officers during which emphasis was laid on the importance of nutrition in the 1st 1000 days of life. It is important to report equally that the state witnessed a donation of a fully equipped Primary Health Care Center at Ikwerre LGA by the Executive Chairman Hon. Dr. Samuel Nwanosike as well as donations of basic medical equipment to 19 health facilities in Ahoada East LGA by the Executive Chairman Hon. Chief Barr Benjamin Eke. The equipment includes 1 adult weighing scale, 1 infant weighing scale, 1 stethoscope, 1 sphygmomanometer, and 1 digital thermometer
To achieve global nutrition goals, we must commit to protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding.
All of us should step up for breastfeeding!
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