The Rivers State Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting optimal infant and young child feeding practices through effective policy implementation, capacity building for healthcare workers, community engagement, and strategic collaboration with development partners.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, made this known at the opening ceremony marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week celebration in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Ndubuisi Akpu, Dr. Wachukwu said this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”, highlights the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding for up to two years alongside appropriate complementary feeding with nutritious local foods.
He explained that breastfeeding offers significant health benefits to both infants and mothers, saying it strengthens children’s immunity and healthy development, while helping to reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in mothers.
He also noted that exclusive breastfeeding can serve as a natural method of family planning for many mothers during the breastfeeding period.
Dr. Wachukwu further said beyond its health advantages, breastfeeding remains one of the most environmentally sustainable and economically sound practices.
“Breastfeeding requires no manufacturing, packaging, transportation or waste disposal, making it a natural solution that supports both household economies and environmental conservation”, he said.
He described breastfeeding as “far more than a means of providing nutrition”, stressing that it is a life-saving public health intervention that gives every child the best possible start in life.
The Permanent Secretary urged participants to actively engage in the week’s activities, advocate for supportive breastfeeding policies, and serve as ambassadors for exclusive breastfeeding in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, Dr. Vetty Agala, reiterated the agency’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Health to expand access to quality healthcare through the State Health Insurance Scheme.
She said the Programme would continue to strengthen interventions that improve the health and well-being of infants, children, and breastfeeding mothers.
Also speaking, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) State Coordinator, Rosemary Chinonye, who represented Prof. Abdulganihu Giwa, described breastfeeding as a fundamental foundation for lifelong health and development rather than merely a lifestyle choice.
She noted that supporting breastfeeding directly improves child survival, enhances healthy development, and contributes to building a healthier and more resilient future workforce for Rivers State.
The 2026 World Breastfeeding Week celebration provided another opportunity to reinforce awareness on the critical role of breastfeeding in improving maternal and child health while promoting sustainable development.
- Alete is the Information/Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Ministry of Health.