ISOLO GENERAL HOSPITAL MARKS BREASTFEEDING WEEK

The Isolo General Hospital organised a seminar as part of activities lined up to mark the World Breastfeeding Week celebrated every year from 1st to 7th of August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the seminar with the theme: “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding”, the Medical Director/CEO of Isolo General Hospital, Dr. Godwin Akhabhoa said that the advantages of breastfeeding cannot be overemphasised, stressing that breastfed babies are stronger, smarter, more intelligent and have better immunity.

He called on fathers, members of the family and the society at large to support nursing mothers to achieve successful breastfeeding exercise for their babies,  adding that it is a win-win situation for the baby, mother and the society.

Dr.  Akhabhoa commended the Lagos State government for giving nursing mothers six months of maternity leave, which he said is enough to achieve exclusive breastfeeding.

While noting that part of the antenatal programme in Isolo General Hospital is to teach pregnant women the importance of breastfeeding and how to go about it, he encouraged all nursing mothers to take advantage of the benefits of breastfeeding and should not deny their babies of such benefits.

Also speaking, the Apex Nurse of the hospital, Boateng Elizabeth Omoyeni said that with commitment and cooperation, successful breastfeeding can be achieved, adding that breastfeeding prevents diarrhoea and other diseases.

The Heads of Department of Pharmacy, Laboratory and Outpatients, Pharm. Mary Iyogun, Mrs.  Omolara Eniayewun and Dr. Oshinowo also joined others to lend their voices on the need to breastfeed babies.

They chorused that breastfed babies are healthier, outstanding and intelligent, while the Head of Department of Pediatrics, Dr Funmilola Showunmi said that breastfeeding is challenging but rewarding.