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The Mfantseman Director of Health Services, Ms. Yvonne Graham Hayfron has advised mothers to take the exclusive breastfeeding of their new born babies seriously to protect them against childhood diseases. She said breast milk contained nutrients that helped babies grow very fast and also protected infants against diseases and urged mothers to eat the appropriate food, which would enable them to get the required nutrients to help safeguard the health of their babies. Ms. Hayfron made the call recently at a food demonstration programme organized by the Mfantsiman Health Directorate to educate caterers on the Government�s School Feeding Programme and mothers in general on how to cook nutritious and balanced local meals for school children. It formed part of measures by the Directorate to curb the �disturbing� high malnutrition rate among children in the Municipality. The World Vision Ghana sponsored the programme. Similar programmes had already been held in about eight communities in the Municipality including Kormantse, Biriwa, Abandze, Edumafa and Asaafa. Caterers in five more communities are being trained in the second batch. It will be extended to all communities in the Municipality by the end of August. Ms Hayfron advised that all lactating mothers made hand washing with soap a habit before feeding to avoid contamination. She expressed gratitude to the World Vision for the immense support it had offered in terms of finances, equipment and training to the health sector. Mr. Ebenezer Lamptey, Manager of the Mfantsiman Area Development Project (ADP) and a representative of the World Vision, said his office would continue to collaborate with the Health Directorate to ensure children had the right nutrition to enhance their growth. Mrs. Ophelia Adu Brempong, the Assistant Chief Nutrition Technical Officer, also advised that after the six months exclusive breastfeeding mothers could feed their babies with all kinds of foods.