By Lola Seriki-Idahosa, Kaduna
Tracereporters –United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has expressed worry over High anaemia prevalence in women in Nigeria, saying is of great concern as 6 in 10 women are anemic.
UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kaduna, Dr. Gerida Birukila stated this in this year world breastfeeding week, she said in Kaduna State, 40% (162,821) pregnant women are anemic, (DHS 2018).
She disclosed that Coverage for Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation in Kaduna State stands at 47% and to meet the WHA/SDG Target for anaemia: a concerted effort with renewed strategies is required.
According to her, “Effective in the prevention of anemia in pregnancy and prevention of low-birth-weight babies. Some evidence also suggests a reduction in perinatal mortality.
“Leverage the introduction of MMS at scale to strengthen the ANC platform to deliver high- impact maternal nutrition interventions.
“The first 1,000 days of life from pregnancy to when the child is two years of age, Strengthening the financing environment at the State level by leveraging the Child Nutrition Matching Funds to procure MMS. Fortunately, Kaduna State has committed to some funds awaiting transfer to UNICEF for the procurement of essential nutrition supplies including MMS.
“Strengthening the health system to deliver MMS as part of a package of good quality maternal nutrition services and re-shaping behaviours practices at household and community levels to ensure adherence and compliance to consumption of MMS.
It could be recalled that, The 2021 Ministerial Order permitted the use of MMS during pregnancy. This is based on the 2020 WHO recommendation on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. The (United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation (UNIMMAP) group and Nutrition International (NI) have provided further evidence that suggested the cost effectiveness and programme efficiency of the use of MMS. The MMS that contains 13 to 15 micronutrients has been found efficacious and thus approved for use in Nigeria. The supplement shall be provided through ANC service at health facilities. It is recommended to be taken orally daily throughout pregnancy (1 tablet daily).”
Contains 13-15 vitamins and minerals required during pregnancy.To be taken daily throughout pregnancy
“Effective in the prevention of anemia in pregnancy and prevention of low-birth-weight babies. Some evidence also suggests a reduction in perinatal mortality.
The UNICEF Chief said Breastfeeding is crucial for the survival, health, and well-being of infants and young children. It provides essential nutrients and protection against illnesses, vital for a child’s development.
Breastfeeding acts as an equalizer in our society, offering every child the best start in life, regardless of socio-economic status.
By improving breastfeeding support in Kaduna, we address the social inequalities that stand in the way of sustainable development and public health.
According to her, “Our focus this year is on reducing the inequalities that hinder access to breastfeeding support. Vulnerable mothers, particularly in rural areas and during times of emergencies, require additional assistance to ensure their children can benefit from breastfeeding
“We must ensure that breastfeeding support is integrated into Nigeria’s emergency response plans to protect the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society.
“To close the gap in breastfeeding inequalities, we must engage all actors along the Warm Chain of Breastfeeding support in Nigeria: Civil society organizations, governments, policymakers, health systems, workplaces, communities, and parents.
“We call on all stakeholders to invest in breastfeeding support to alleviate social inequalities and promote sustainable development in Nigeria.
“UNICEF Nigeria is dedicated to supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency and all our partners in this groundbreaking initiative. Together, we will ensure that no Nigerian mother or child is left behind in our quest to improve breastfeeding rates and outcomes.
“We are optimistic about the innovations and improvements in breastfeeding support that will emerge from our collaborative efforts this year and beyond.
Kaduna establishes nutrition parlours in PHCs, set to erase poor breast-feeding
Kaduna establishes nutrition parlours in PHCs, set to erase poor breast-feeding
In a press conference in commemoration of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe said in ensuring proper breastfeeding the State government’s committed to providing qualified and adequate health providers in hospitals to assist lactating mothers, offering necessary vaccines to pregnant mothers and newborns.
The Kaduna State Government said it has established nutrition parlous in 255 Primary Health Centres across the state and reinstated commitment to improve breast-feeding of newborns in the State.
The State Government said that human capital development programs would amount to nought if babies do not survive and thrive due to poor or none breast-feeding.
She observed that the attainment of complete breast feeding by breast feeding mothers faced challenges as a result of ignorance, hunger and poverty as well as insecurity in the North West, adding that the economic challenges of post-covid 19 have continued to pose challenges to food production, income generation and access to nutrition for breast feeding mothers and dietary diversity appropriate for the children.
Dr Balarabe said this year’s theme, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All”, was appropriate for lifting the level of awareness and support required to increase global breast feeding rate.
“As a government, we are committed to providing qualified and adequate health providers in our hospitals to assist lactating mothers, offering necessary vaccines to pregnant mothers and newborns, and strengthening our primary health care structures.”
“We have approved a six-month paid maternity leave for working mothers in the civil service to support exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. With the support of UNICEF, we have established nutrition corners across all 23 local government areas, providing counselling and practical demonstrations on infant nutrition.”
“The State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has also set up crèches in the Planning and Budget Commission and the State Ministry of Health to enable working mothers breastfeed their babies properly. The successful attainment of complete breast feeding by our breast feeding mothers continues to face challenges as a result of ignorance, hunger and poverty.”
“Insecurity in our sub-region of the North West coupled with the economic challenges of post-covid 19 have continued to pose challenges to food production, income generation and access to nutrition for breast feeding mothers and dietary diversity appropriate for our children.”
“I am proud to say that our governor, Senator Uba Sani, is leading the North West Zone in framing a collective approach to the insecurity in the area, and I believe that soon the problem will be in the past providing increased opportunities for families to support breast feeding mothers.”
“Our Governor recently flagged-off the distribution of free fertilizers for our farmers to support food production and nutrition for our mothers and families. This is in addition to the earlier farm implements and in puts distributed to farmers and especially ginger farmers in the state.These are measures taken by our government to boost food production in the state, increase the income of our farmers and ensure descend and healthy livelihoods of our citizens and our new born babies.”
“Our human capital development programs will amount to nought if our babies do not survive and thrive. I wish to thank WHO, UNICEF, civil society partners, and our Ministries of Health and Budget and Planing for putting in their all in organizing this campaign that highlights the importance of breastfeeding and its critical role in the health and well-being of our children and society.”
“This campaign is an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Together, we can ensure that every child has the best start in life, and every mother receives the support she needs to breast-feed her children.”
“Let us all rise to close the gap and support breast feeding for all in Kaduna State.I urge you journalists and the formal media to join this campaign as part of your social responsibility to humanity. Remember that no society can survive without an effective mechanism for the sustenance of its young ones. Breast-milk is central to the nurturing and survival of our babies and our humanity. Please let us close the gap created by none or poor breast-feeding of newborns.”
“This significant event, was planned to have been a week-long event in Kaduna State and other parts of the world, beginning from the 1st to the 7th of August, 2024.Unfortunately, the recent protests that affected some parts of Kaduna State and Nigeria, made such awareness campaign impossible.”
“Because our dear Governor, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, recognizes the importance of exclusive breast-feeding to nurturing of new born babies, he has directed that this press briefing be held as a way to create awareness and to sensitize our citizens as to the importance of mothers breast-feeding their babies immediately after birth.”
“For the governor, it is important to reduce infant and child mortality as targeted by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using the power of breast-milk.
“Breast-milk provides safe, clean, and nutrient-filled formula that protect babies against many common childhood illnesses. UNICEF has confirmed that early initiation of infants to breastfeeding, within one hour of birth, safeguards newborns from infections and significantly reduces newborn mortality. Colostrum, the first milk that a mother produces, is the most potent natural immune system booster known to science which is why lactating mothers are encouraged to give it to their babies immediately after delivery.”
“Breast milk provides up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life. Furthermore, breastfed children tend to perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese, and have a lower risk of diabetes later in life. For women, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers,” she said.
Theme of this year World Breastfeeding week is Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.
