The First Lady of Andoni Local Government Council, Mrs Oruru Reginald Ekaan, has distributed maternity kits and cash gifts to 200 breastfeeding mothers in Andoni to improve child care and good health for infants.
Mrs. Ekaan made the donations at the flag-off of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week held at the Ngo Model Primary Health Care Centre in Andoni.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s Breastfeeding Week “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All” the Andoni First Lady appealed to mothers of new born babies to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first 6 months to improve their health and assured them of her consistent support to mothers.
While charging every member of the society to encourage breastfeeding, Mrs Ekaan disclosed plans by the Andoni Local Government Council to implement measures aimed at support breastfeeding.
She noted that “As a government, we are aware that when breastfeeding is protected and supported, women are more than twice as likely to breastfeed their babies. This is why the Andoni Local Government Council is looking at the possibility of
implementing family friendly workplace policies, such as paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks and access to affordable and good-quality childcare.
As individuals, we can all encourage breastfeeding at workplace and worship centres by being empathetic to breastfeeding mothers. Our health workers must include timely, effective breastfeeding counselling as part of routine health coverage.
The first lady also pointed out that “when we support our breastfeeding mothers, we will have healthier families and communities in Andoni.
Earlier in his address, the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in charge of Andoni, Dr. Mbatumu Mbaba explained the health benefits of diligent breastfeeding of children and advice mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies.
The health programme kick off with a sensitization rally and had in attendance, CTC Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council , Hon. Reginald Ekaan Esq, Special Adviser on Medical Services, Chief Dr. Fred Uwikor Usende and members of the Caretaker Committee in Andoni as well as leaders of the Simplified Movement.
Signed:
Iwor Romgbo,
Chief Press Secretary, To the CTC Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council.
