Collins Agwam About 7,000 underprivileged breastfeeding mothers living with HIV and AIDS in Nasarawa State have called on both the Federal and state governments to assist them with basic sources of livelihood to survive the current economic situation in the country. The lactating mothers said their inability to eat nutritious meals due to the hardship had contributed to the poor practice of exclusive breastfeeding and the rise in child and maternal mortality in the state. A former Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in the state, Philip Lokoko, made the position of breastfeeding mothers known during an event to mark the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, titled “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding for All,” in Lafia, Nasarawa, on Tuesday.
He explained that over 15,000 breastfeeding mothers had tested positive for HIV and AIDS in the state, but only 7,000 women had publicly identified themselves to seek help over the prevailing hardship in the state and the country. He said, “Most lactating mothers can hardly afford three square meals, which is a major factor contributing to the low level of breastfeeding for at least the first six months of a child’s life. “Breast milk remains the best food for the child, at least during the first six months.
If they do not have enough food to eat, they will not have the strength to breastfeed their children. “We are, therefore, appealing to the government at all levels to come to their aid and set up a special intervention for these women so that they and their children can survive the current hardship in the country.” A lactating mother, Ann Lashile, explained that since she gave birth three months ago, life had been difficult for her, adding that she could not manage exclusive breastfeeding due to the lack of a livelihood.
“If I do not eat enough food, how can I have the strength to feed my baby? The breast milk might not be available or nutritious because I do not eat well. We want the government to support us, especially those of us with certificates. We need jobs,” she pleaded.
For her part, the Executive Director of the Nasarawa State Aids Control Agency, Dr. Ruth Bello, remarked that due to sustained awareness campaigns, the number of women living with HIV and AIDS in the state who had overcome stigma had continued to increase. She added that the campaigns for exclusive breastfeeding were all-inclusive, aiming to enhance their health and that of their children for a better society.
Earlier, the Nasarawa State Coordinator of the Association of Women Living with HIV and AIDS, Rahab Irmiya, explained that due to the economic challenges facing most households in the state, there was a need to pay maximum attention to lactating mothers living with HIV and AIDS as part of steps towards addressing malnutrition and child mortality. Copyright PUNCH All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected] Tags 7000 HIV-positive nursing mothers in Nasarawa Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV Govt support for HIV positive mothers HIV positive mothers.
