The Ebony office of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has organized a review meeting on demand-creation for family practices to ensure that infants and young children are  properly fed.The review meeting held in Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone of the state.

The state’s NOA Director, Dr. Emma Abba, said that the meeting was aimed at reviewing the resolutions and action-plans on essential family practices such as basic education, infant and young child feeding, safe excreta disposal and hand washing among others.“This is to ascertain the achievements made so far at the community level to ensure that pregnant women attend complete Anti-Natal Care (ANC) and children given full immunization and basic education.It is also aimed at ensuring that infant and young children are properly fed; I commend the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) for its sustained efforts on child survival,’’ he said.

He pledged to work assiduously to extend the campaign on essential health practices to all parts of the state.

Mrs. Roseline Ede, a retired Health Officer and Resource Person at the meeting, said that essential family practices would guarantee healthy living.“Participants such as community leaders should integrate essential family practices such as ANC attendance and exclusive breastfeeding among others in their meetings.Any pregnant woman who fully attends ANC stands the chance of having safe delivery and reduced chances of child morbidity. A mother who adequately breastfeeds her child enjoys quicker recovery after childbirth with quicker expelling of the placenta and reduction of post-partum bleeding risk,’’ she said.

Mrs. Priscilia Odi, Health Educator in the state’s Ministry of Health urged the participants to prioritize the issues of child survival, development, protection and participation in their respective communities.

She said that special attention should be paid to immunization and exclusive breastfeeding among others.

The traditional ruler of Amagu Autonomous Community of Abakaliki Local Government Area, Mr. Fidelis Nwonumara urged traditional rulers and town union leaders to ensure that issues of family health are integrated into their community meetings.

Mrs Emilia Ineh, a participant, noted that she would implement all she learnt at the programme to improve the health status and condition of her family.promised to put into practie what she has learnt in the programme.“I learnt that breast milk contains an ideal balance of nutrients which infants can easily digest along with digestible enzymes that contain substances essential for the child’s optimal development,’’ she said.