STATISTICS from UNICEF have indicated that Nigeria has the second-highest burden of stunted children in the world.
UNICEF stated that the country also has a national prevalence rate of 32 per cent of children under 5 years which was higher than the average of the African region.
Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk confirmed the statistics when he briefed the press about the World Breastfeeding Week, WBFW, in his office in Calabar.
According to Ayuk, “an estimated two million children in Nigeria are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and only 17 per cent of babies are exclusively breastfed within their first six months of age.
“In Cross River, available data show that 23 per cent of children under five years of age are stunted due to acute malnutrition which is of great concern to the state hence its emphasis on breastfeeding and child nutrition.
Ayuk said to commemorate the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, the state government has approved six months of extended paid maternity leave for nursing and breastfeeding mothers in the state’s workforce.
Ayuk said the extension became necessary based on the benefits of breastfeeding to the child, mother and society at large.
“To further demonstrate the state commitment towards breastfeeding, a matching fund of N100 million has been earmarked to support the purchase of multiple micronutrient supplementation.
He said the aim was to support the nutrition needs of malnourished children and pregnant mothers.
Speaking at the event, a representative of the World Health Organisation, WHO, Dr Gloria Archibong said it was important for all residents in Cross River to support the mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding.
She said if this was done, as time went on, every mother would see the need to actually breastfeed their children exclusively for the first six months which would in turn give birth to healthier and intelligent children in Cross River.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually between August 1st to Aug. 7th.
This year’s theme is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
