Zambia: The Ministry of Health in Zambia has launched the World Breastfeeding Week in the country. The week long commemoration will run from the 1 to the 7th week of August 2024.
The breastfeeding week is celebrated all over the world. The theme of the event four the 2024 edition was, ‘Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.’
The health ministry stakeholders have shared that the commemoration sought to promote healthy breastfeeding practices. The officials have shared that they want to guide new mothers about the various benefits of breastfeeding their children.
Healthcare experts all over the world maintain that breastfeeding an infant for the first six months of their life is crucial. According to leading medical organizations, including WHO, breast milk can protect children from several health issues and strengthen their immunity.
The Minister of Health, Elijah Muchima, represented by Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa launched the breastfeeding week in Zambia. The launch event was hosted on Saturday.
The Minister emphasised that the government will ensure a 14 weeks maternity leave is observed all over the nation for new months. Maternal health is an extremely critical part of the government’s healthcare mandate.
Dr Muchima explained that breastfeeding is a source of nutrients and an impactful immunisation intervention for babies. The newborns get a majority of their initial immunity from their mothers
He added that the World Health Organisation WHO recommends that babies be introduced to breast milk within an hour of birth. They should be breastfed up to 6 months in order to support their growth afterwards.
“I call upon all community workers and volunteers to continue addressing myths and misconceptions associated with breast feeding ,” said Dr Muchima.
Speaking at the same event, UNICEF Representative Penelope Campbell stated that the day is significant especially now when the country is grappling with the effect’s drought and food insecurity.
Dr Campbell added that around 60.6% of children in Lusaka are being fed unhealthy items which includes sweet drinks.