UNICEF restates commitment to support Kaduna State in optimal breastfeeding 

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has restated it’s commitment in ensuring maximum support to Kaduna State in improving children’s health, while emphasizing on the importance of optimal breastfeeding by mothers.

The UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate made the commitment while on a visit to the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission (PBC) in Kaduna.

Munduate explained that UNICEF will continue to support Kaduna State on its policies that would promote healthy growth and development of children in the state.

According to her, UNICEF is committed to supporting Kaduna state financially, as well as through a high level technical assistance and provision of medical supplies like vitamin A and E which the state has benefited from.

She noted that, what was important was that pregnant women, children and adolescent girls received the Vitamin A supplements which prevents anaemia .

Munduate further stated that they would address some of the challenges in primary health care in the state, especially at LGAs and their wards to ensure children are immunized and women receive vitamin ‘A’.

The Country Representative further stated that children with critical nutrition conditions will be attended to by ensuring they receive therapeutic attention.

She however commended the state on  primary health care delivery, while acknowledging some challenges which according to her can only be bridged by the state institutions.

“Kaduna State has all the infrastructure and human resources that can make a change in the life of women and children,” she stressed.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna PBC, Bashir Muhammad, noted that UNICEF had for long been supporting the state in terms of food and nutrition, water/sanitation and many other areas.

Muhammad, who doubles as the Chairman, State Committee for Food and Nutrition, added that nursing mothers were allowed six months leave from work after giving birth to enable them practice exclusive breastfeeding.

He said at the PBC, they created the creche where nursing mothers will have conducive environment to nurse their children while working, after the six months exclusively breastfeeding.

He thanked UNICEF for all their support to the state, while advocating for more, noting that their aim is to have healthy children in Kaduna to ensure a guaranteed human capital develop.