Cross River seeks six-month maternity leave for nursing mothers

The Cross River State Primary Healthcare and Development Agency has canvassed a six-month maternity leave for nursing mothers in service.

State Nutrition Officer, Lady Regina Adie, who made the call at a media roundtable on promotion of optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), organised by the agency in collaboration with FHI360/Alive and Thrive in Calabar, noted that the review of the extant three months to six for the affected persons has become imperative to enable them to breastfeed their children properly for the overall development of the kids in the first 180 days.

To achieve the advocacy, Adie said they had visited members of the House Committee on Health in the State House of Assembly as well as traditional and religious leaders to create awareness on exclusive breastfeeding.

Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Iwara Iwara, stated that men have a great role to play in facilitating the move.