Dr Babagana Machina, Executive Secretary, Yobe Primary Health Care Board, says breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer and maternal obesity.
Machina stated this in Potiskum on Wednesday at the inauguration of the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week.
According to him, six months of exclusive breastfeeding minimises childhood infections and increases the intelligence of babies.
He noted that breast milk is a unique nutritional source that cannot be replaced by any other food, including well-formulated infant formula.
Machina, therefore, called on critical stakeholders to assist in promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the healthy development of babies.
In his remarks, Alhaji Abdullahi Jawa, Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Health, said the week-long event had the theme: “Enable Breastfeeding – making a difference for working parents”.
He expressed optimism that the event would foster the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers.
Jawa also said that Gov. Mai Mala Buni had recently approved the expansion of free maternal neonatal and child health services to cover all pregnant women and under-five children.
The permanent secretary said the approval was part of efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in the state.
According to reports, the highlights of the occasion included presentation of gifts to 11 women who exclusively breastfed their babies for six months.