“UNICEF Warns Of Looming Health Crisis As Breastfeeding Rates Plummet!”

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised the alarm over the poor rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Bauchi State, warning that the disturbing trend poses a serious risk to child survival and healthy development, according to IReporter Online.

During a media briefing held to mark World Breastfeeding Week, Philomena Irene, a nutrition specialist at the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, described the current breastfeeding practices in Bauchi as “deeply worrying.”

Citing data from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), she revealed that only 26% of infants were exclusively breastfed, while a mere 12% received breast milk within the first hour of life.

“This is far beyond a health concern; it is about survival,” Irene stressed. “Breastfeeding serves as a child’s first vaccine. We must ensure every newborn is breastfed immediately after birth.”

Dr. Nuzat Rafique, Chief of Field Office for UNICEF Bauchi, also expressed grave concern about the state’s high malnutrition rate, pointing out that nearly half of all children in the region suffer from undernourishment.

According to IReporter Online, she emphasized that the critical window for intervention starts within the first hour of life and called for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months before introducing complementary foods.

She further urged the Bauchi State Government to fulfil its pledge to release counterpart funds needed to boost nutrition programs, while also advocating for family-friendly policies like six-month paid maternity leave and better training for healthcare workers.

Meanwhile, Nutrition Officer at the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Abubakar Sale, acknowledged UNICEF’s relentless support and reiterated the state’s commitment to reversing poor breastfeeding trends. “We are determined to change the narrative,” he said, according to IReporter Online.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”