ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Enugu State chapter of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), in collaboration with with Reals Pharmaceuticals Ltd., on Thursday took its campaign on exclusive breastfeeding to nursing mothers and pregnant women at Uwani General Hospital, Enugu.
The exercise was part of its activities to mark the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week.
Speaking at the event, the State Chairperson of NAWOJ, Mrs. Ngozi Ngene noted that the awareness was aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding in the state.
She added that it was part of the contributions of the association for a healthy society.
Mrs Ngene urged nursing mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively to enable them look more healthy, and become more intelligent.
The Business Manager, Reals Pharmaceuticals, Mr Lucky Nwajei, stated that the benefits of breastfeeding were enormous.
In his keynote speech, Nwajei said six months exclusive breastfeeding of newborns could lower incidences of child mortality in the society.
He added further that feeding of newborn babies with infant formula could be dangerous, especially, with unhygienic feeding bottles.
He therefore advised nursing and expectant mothers to make deliberate efforts to ensure that their breasts produced enough and quality milk.
He said the cause of insufficiency of breast milk in nursing mothers is as a result of certain hormones, especially, prolactin, in the body.
“As a company, our role is to provide support in our area of core competence through the supply of pharmaceuticals that will ensure that nursing mothers produce quality and quantity breast milk,” he added.
Nwajei explained that certain pharmaceuticals produced by the company from pure plant extracts had been prepared to help expectant and lactating mothers triple their prolactin level and nourish their babies.
Also, the Deputy Director, Nursing Services, Uwani General Hospital, Mrs Josephine Igweagu said, “When we care for nursing mothers, we also care for their children and society.”