World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1st to 7th August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.
This year’s theme by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was “Support Breastfeeding for a Healthier Planet”. In line with this theme, WHO and UNICEF called for governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling to optimize support for breastfeeding. The national vision and sub-theme was “Start Strong; zero water exclusive breastfeeding for a better future”.
Inspite of the COVID 19 pandemic, AMCH collaborated with Lagos State Ministry of Health to commemorate this year’s world breasting week with four main activities which included:
-
Public enlightenment on breastfeeding through a radio talk
Prof. Elizabeth Disu, Executive Director of AMCH, along with Dr Akinyinka of the Community Health and Primary Health Care Department of LASUTH were on the Radio 96.1 FM in Lagos talking about breastfeeding, its importance to the survival of the baby, benefits to the baby, mother and its role in sustaining our planet. On Saturday, a similar talk by the AMCH director featured on LTV 8, a local channel with emphasis on breastfeeding and child development.
-
Public enlightenment on social media
Pictures and clips of our activities for the week were covered on our social media platforms; Facebook, Instagram and also on our website for interested parties to see and be encouraged and supported to do exclusive breastfeeding.
-
Sensitization talks to mothers and care-givers
This took place at the Immunization Clinics of ten public health facilities in Lagos State which included Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, Ajeromi General Hospital, Kola PHC, Agbara Paediatric Centre Ikorodu, Ifako PHC, Isolo General Hospital, Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital and Eti-Osa Mother and Child Centre. These talks were done throughout the week starting on Tuesday 4th August and culminating on Friday 13th August.
There were breastfeeding talks, counselling and demonstrations on when and how to initiate breastfeeding, positioning of the baby, the rewards of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months with zero tolerance for water and any formulas, continuing to 2 years and how it helps maintain a healthier planet. The psychosocial aspect of dealing with the bond created between the baby and the mother was also emphasized.
-
A Webinar for Health Care Workers on Breastfeeding
Abiye Maternal and Child Health International Foundation and her partners, Lagos State Ministry of Health and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital held a webinar for health care workers. The theme was “support breastfeeding for a healthier planet” in line with WHO and UNICEF’s call to “promote, protect and support breastfeeding in the Covid 19 era”.
Prof Disu anchored the programme. Lagos State Ministry of Health was represented by Mrs. Olubunmi Braheem, the State Nutritionist Officer, Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition and LASUTH was represented by the Director, Clinical Services and Training LASUTH, Dr Ibrahim Mustapha.
There were goodwill messages from President of Society of Gynecologists and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr Ireti Akinola, The President of Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), Prof. Edward Alikor and AMCH’s Patron, Prof. Aba Sagoe, a retired Professor of Haematology. There were over a hundred attendees and six speakers talked on different topics with PowerPoint presentations.
The first speaker was Dr Zainab Imam a Consultant Paediatrician/Neonatologist at the Department of Paediatrics, LASUTH.
Topic: Overview of the World Breastfeeding Week 2020 theme.
The second speaker was Mrs. Olubukola Olawuyi, Deputy Director and the Coordinator Paediatric Nursing Programme in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH), Idi-Araba.
Topic: Zero Water Initiative of Starting Strong with Exclusive Breastfeeding.
The third speaker was Dr Florence Funmilola Folami-Adeoye who is the Founder and the President of Cross of Christ Hospital and the CEO of Lactation Literacy in the United States (www.lactationliteracy.com).
Topic: Challenges, Benefits and Support for the Breastfeeding Mother (International Perspective)
The fourth speaker was Dr Opeyemi Oluwabiyi, a consultant paediatrician/neonatologist at Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital.
Topic: Challenges, Benefits and Support for the Nigerian Breastfeeding Mother
The fifth speaker, Dr Peter Ubuane, a Consultant Paediatrician/neonatologist at the Department of Paediatrics, LASUTH
Topic: Breastfeeding in the context of Covid 19.
The sixth and last speaker was Mrs. Olubunmi Braheem, Lagos State representative and the State Nutritionist Officer, Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition
Topic: Updated Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding 2018 Nigerian Adaptation
There were questions and answers and shared information on breastfeeding for the health workers on this platform.
Conclusion
Inspite of the pandemic, AMCH celebrated World Breastfeeding week effectively, sensitizing and educating the public and also the health care workers on the significance of breastfeeding in helping to reduce the mortality rate of neonates, benefits on the mother and child, its support for a healthier planet and its sustainability.