Group Wants Law On Exclusive Breast Feeding

By: Adebayo Ademola

Members of the National Assembly have been urged to legislate on the issue of exclusive breastfeeding of infants by Nigerian women to reduce infant mortality rate in the country.

A non-governmental organization, African International Baby-care Initiative, AFRIBABY, made the call at a press conference in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Founder and President of AFRIBABY, Dr. Oscar Odiboh, the group has already presented an Exclusive Breastfeeding Bill to the National Assembly seeking for legislation mandating a 6-month exclusive breast feeding period for women in Nigeria, as well as make employers of labour grant 6 months maternity leave to such women.

He said Nigeria is at the risk of not achieving the 2015 MDG goals as regards infant mortality if urgent measures are not taken to encourage mothers to give maximum attention to their newborn babies for the first six months after birth.

Dr Odiboh said unless the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers is encouraged, Nigeria risks losing more babies to infant related ailments.

According to Dr Odiboh, "Part of the bill advocates a 5% tax rebate for the organization. This is an incentive that will benefit both the nursing mother as well as the organization where she works. The tax rebate will be used to pay half of the salary of the nursing mother while on the 6 months leave, as well as to establish a crèche close to the organization, so she would have easy access to her baby during official break periods."

He also disclosed that the NGO is planning to hold its 2nd African International Baby-care exhibition in November.

The expo which is expected to be declared open by the first lady Dame Patience Jonathan will hold from the 15th to 17th of November 2011, at the premises of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja

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