August 1^st -7^th of every year is usually set aside as the world breastfeeding week to raise awareness on why it is important for mothers and families to embrace breastfeeding in order to obtain the benefits that it offers.

 

The world health organization posits that newborn babies should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of their lives and with complimentary meals up till 2 years of age.

 

The need for much more awareness on this issue continues to increase as statistics have shown that only 3 in 5 babies are breastfed in the first hour of their lives and nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months.

 

The world health organization has set a target to increase breastfeeding by 50% by 2025 but only 44% success has been recorded, hence the need for more sensitization in order to hit and even surpass the target goal.

 

In the same vein, Nigeria observed the Tuberculosis (TB) testing week/awareness campaign as part of efforts to increase tuberculosis case findings with a view to achieving the 2035 target to end TB.

 

Every first week in the month of August is dedicated to driving conversations around Tuberculosis as experts believe that early diagnosis and treatment is the sure way of cutting the chain of transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in the country.

 

According to the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Nigeria ranks six among the 30 high burden countries in the world as every undiagnosed or untreated case could infect 15 people within a year.

 

Inspiration FM contributed to these health observations with stories highlighting various issues concerning the breastfeeding awareness and Tuberculosis testing week.

 

 

TUBERCULOSIS AND BREASTFEEDING REPORTS