By Nene Olaye
The Edo State Government through the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) has joined the global community in celebrating the year 2025 World Breastfeeding Week with the theme, “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”.
The event which is observed annually from 1st to 7th August, was held at the New Era Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in New Benin. The Executive Secretary EDSPHCDA, Dr. Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia, represented by the EDSPHCDA Director of Community and Family Health Services. Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, spoke on the importance of breastfeeding, explaining that breast milk contains essential nutrients that protect a baby’s immune system. He emphasized that babies who are exclusively breastfed are healthier compared to those who are not, and that breastfeeding reduces the cost of buying formula milk, which, despite being fortified, cannot be compared to the benefits of breast milk.
In a remark, the Medical Officer for Health in Oredo Local Government Area, Dr. Ehimwenma Usiosefe, appreciated mothers, guests, and stakeholders for their supports. He encouraged everyone to embrace the health benefits of breastfeeding and to support mothers in exclusively breastfeeding their babies.
The Chairman of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, Mr. James Uwaifo advised mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies and to avoid letting them sleep for long hours. In his words, “Always breastfeed your baby. Don’t let them sleep for 3 or 4 hours without carrying them to breastfeed, ensure to put the baby to breast every two to three hours daily.”
The State Nutrition Officer EDSPHCDA, Mrs. Amenze Phil-Imade encouraged mothers to breastfeed regularly to help their babies develop the skills to suck. She called on fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers to support mothers in exclusively breastfeeding. In her words, “Mama, Papa, Daddy baby, abeg support your daughter, daughter-in-law, wife make them breastfeed baby, no talk say give am water, no need, breast milk don already contain water and nutrients wey the baby need to grow healthy and strong (sic).”
Mothers were educated on the proper techniques of breastfeeding. The Community Health Officer at the New Era PHC, Mrs. Osaigbovo Florence, gave an extensive health talk on the importance of breastfeeding. The session was interactive, allowing mothers to ask questions and to gain valuable insights.
The event was attended by Mothers, EDSPHCDA staff, partners including representative of the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), and representatives from the Oredo Local Government Council, among others.
A group photograph of the Director Community and Family Health Services EDSPHCDA Dr Idemudia Osayomore who represented the Executive Secretary EDSPHCDA Dr Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia alongside Partners, Mothers, Representative of Oredo LGA Council and Health Workers
