The Lagos State Government has introduced new dimensions into its health policy on child bearing and raising.
Thenceforth, a man in the employ of the state government would be entitled to 10 days of leave once his wife delivers.
And instead of the three months maternity leave for its workers, the state government has increased it to six months.
The Lagos State Head of Service, Josephine Williams, announced these decisions and others at a press conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja on Thursday.
Williams said: “A female officer shall be entitled to 24 weeks maternity leave with full pay in case of her first two deliveries.
“The said leave shall commence at least two weeks before the expected delivery date.
“A male officer, to whom a new baby (or babies in case of multiple births) is born, shall be entitled to 10 working days.”
However, after the first two deliveries, mothers would then be entitled to only three months leave.
But the father would still have 10 days leave.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, the Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, said the six months leave would enable the nursing mother observe the recommended six months exclusive breast feeding for babies.
Adeshina said: “At six months or 24 weeks, a baby is considered strong enough to be left in decent crèche for proper care, having gone through close affection and nurturing by mother.”
