NGO seeks proper education of women on exclusive breastfeeding

An NGO, Best Healthy Life Development Initiative (BHELDIN), on Wednesday called for proper education of women on exclusive breastfeeding to ensure healthy citizenry on the long run.

Titus Gushibet, a Pharmacist and Director of BHELDIN, gave the advice in an interview with our correspondent in Bwari, on occasion of the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).

The Week which is being celebrated every year from August 1 to 7 globally has the theme “Sustaining breastfeeding together.”

He said that the call becAme imperative because of need to promote the benefits of breastfeeding in the sustenance of child survival.

According to him, it is important to educate women to imbibe breastfeeding, because it is not only nature’s plan and choice of lifestyle, but also the right of the child.

“Breast milk is the best food for babies.

“It helps in regaining process of body structure; therefore the need for women to breastfeed and promote well being of their children.

“Poor breastfeeding practice contributes to infant and maternal mortality, the value of breastfeeding cannot be emphasised.

“Breastfeeding provides critical nutrients and protection from deadly diseases, such as pneumonia and can also foster growth and early development in children.

“Educating women about breastfeeding will help to ensure both child and maternal survival, because women need to constantly breastfeed their babies for the first six months after delivery,” Gushibet said.

Phamacist urged the three tiers of government to create awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, to ensure healthy living conditions for both new born babies and mothers.

The director described breastfeeding as the cheapest, available, affordable and most convenient way to feed a child for greater health benefits.

He identified some benefits of breastfeeding to also include protection from disease, provision of nutrients to new born and prevention of malnutrition.

BHELDIN is an Abuja-based NGO whose activities are geared toward creating awareness on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the community.