Poor breast feeding contributes to stunted growth in Jigawa – Unicef

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The United Nation Children’s Fund (Unicef) has related the recent economic meltdown and stunted growth in Jigawa state to the inadequate breast feeding from mothers to their children.
The Unicef Nutrition Specialist Ms Phelomena Irene dropped the hint yesterday during the two days media dialogue organised by the Jigawa state government in collaboration with the Unicef to celebrate world breastfeeding month held at Central hotel Kano.
She explained that the absence of breastfeeding not only affects short and long-term outcomes but also the exact financial toll on the state of the economy.
According to Irene, research revealed that, Jigawa is among the states that suffered from high-rate of stunt-growth caused by inadequate breastfeeding to the children.
“The consequences of absence of breastfeeding could lead to W mortality, maternal mortality,health system cost among others” research revealed.
The Nutrition specialist also said, the absent of breastfeeding and used of formular feeding resulting in increased of health claims, decreased productivity as well as more days will be missed from work to care for sick child.
She then urged all stakeholders to support and promote the breastfeeding habits to tackle issues of stunt growth, child mortality and maternal mortality for a better development of the state.