The First Lady of Imo State, Chioma Uzodimma, yesterday advised mothers to adopt exclusive breastfeeding for the health of their infants.

Speaking at the flag off of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week held in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Uzodimma emphasised the importance of breastfeeding in line with the global campaign’s theme: "Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All" and advised mothers to accept exclusive breastfeeding, which is an international initiative taking place every 1st-7th day of August annually.

The First Lady, through the Women Affairs Commissioner, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, pointed out that breastfeeding is recognised as an essential public health issue that supports the life of babies.

"Let’s all encourage breastfeeding", she said. Ensure you breastfeed your infants for at least 1-6 months”.

She noted that the worldwide campaign is meant to address under-5 mortality rates.

She lauded the Ministry of Primary Health, Social Services and Health Insurance, Imo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, WHO, UNICEF, and other collaborators that have assisted the reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health programs in Imo State.

She commended the wives of the Governors Forum for taking it upon themselves to see that about 30,000 women all over the country breastfeed their infants at the same time.