Adhere to six-month exclusive breastfeeding — Madam Appoh
Nursing mothers have been advised to strictly adhere to the six-month exclusive breastfeeding of babies to ensure that their babies are always healthy. The President of the Obaa Sima Foundation, Madam Rachel Appoh, who gave the advice, said research by health personnel showed that children who benefited from the six-month exclusive breastfeeding were very strong and intelligent as compared to babies whose mothers did not stick to the policy.
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Madam Appoh, who is also a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa Central, gave the advice in an interview with the Daily Graphic when she presented items to 40 nursing mothers who were delivered safely at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba in the Effutu Municipality in the Central Region.
Each mother received washing powder, a half piece of cloth, washing bowls, mosquito nets and baby dresses, all at a total cost of GH¢12,000.00.
The items were presented to mothers who were delivered of their babies between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
According to Madam Appoh, it was medically wrong for mothers to start feeding their babies who were less than six months old with certain baby foods instead of breast milk; and, therefore, urged them to obey medical instructions towards ensuring that their babies were fit in order for them to grow properly without being infected with diseases.
Postnatal care
Madam Appoh further admonished nursing mothers to access postnatal care after delivery so that their babies would be protected from the six childhood killer diseases and other child-related diseases.
She noted that there were instances where nursing mothers refused to attend postnatal care after delivery, resulting in many complications which often contributed to infant mortality.
She, therefore, called on mothers to join efforts by government, the Ghana Health Service and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) towards reducing maternal and child mortality across the country.
She also indicated that the gesture was to put smiles on the faces of the mothers who were delivered of their babies in the festive season.
Medical director
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr George Kwame Prah, thanked the former MP and her foundation for the support to the mothers and their babies.
He said the health facility was in need of hospital beds, gloves and other health equipment to enhance healthcare delivery, and appealed to the government, philanthropic individuals and organisations to help the hospital address some of its pressing challenges.