Njadvara Musa
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has supported the Borno State government to implement the six-month maternity leave for working mothers in the State.
The nursing mothers’ leave will be increased by government from four to six months and to enable them exclusively breastfeed their babies for no less than six months.
Unfolding the proposed increase, over the weekend (Saturday), in Maiduguri, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr, Mohammed Ghuluze, disclosed: “Arrangements have been completed to increase and commence the implementation of six-month maternity leave for women in the civil service.”
He added that concrete measures are being taken to extend the maternity leave from four to six months.
He said that this year’s breastfeeding week, is intended to galvanise actions in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs) on how to improve existing breastfeeding facilities, including crèches at work places.
Continuing: “We’re partnering with WHO that provides the technical support in the setting up of more breastfeeding facilities in the state.”
He stated that the Governor Babagana Zulum administration will review the possibility of legislating more policies that could promote exclusive breastfeeding.
He assured that government is stepping up efforts to achieve the United Nations (UN) target of 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding from the current 40 per cent.
Dr. Ghuluze noted that working mothers had been struggling to balance childcare and working responsibilities at their work places.
His words: “This has resulted in the early cessation of breastfeeding of babies for six months, as recommended by UN health agency,” he lamented.
“Women, therefore, need sustained support from the State government, healthcare system, workplaces and the communities they work in.”
According to him, they are to play their roles in empowering the nursing mothers to sustain exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
The WHO’s State Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, said that the UN health agency will continue to provide technical support in reducing both maternal and infant mortalities in the state.
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