By Anak Dut
The Ministry of Health and UNICEF have urged policymakers to prioritize addressing the disparities in maternal health and provide accessible support for breastfeeding mothers. The statement was made during the commemoration of the World Breastfeeding Week at Juba Teaching Hospital on Monday.
In the last decade, South Sudan has seen significant advancements, with the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months rising from 45% in 2010 to 60% in 2023.
According to Hon. Ayoub Khamisa, the Director of Nutrition in the Ministry of Health, it is crucial for every newborn to receive the appropriate nourishment in the first six months of life, as four out of every ten babies currently do not have access to this fundamental right.
“Breastfeeding is not only the best way to prevent infant morbidity, mortality, and malnutrition, but it also promotes optimal growth and development. Continued breastfeeding for up to six month, starting with exclusive breastfeeding for the first months and transitioning to complementary feeding afterwards, supports a child’s immune system and guards against common childhood ailments,” she said.
Khamisa explained that exclusive breastfeeding is the most defensive weapon in a mother’s arsenal to protect her child from malnutrition.
Meanwhile, Dr. Janet Michael the Director of Nursing and Midwifery called for the development for baby-friendly healthcare centres to support breastfeeding.
“Universal implementation of baby-friendly hospital initiative is essential to support early and continued breastfeeding for all babies. Besides, working with community members to scale up breastfeeding support, focusing on vulnerable populations will help to close the gaps in breastfeeding rates,” she said.
The director explained that when an infant is exclusively breastfed during the first six months of their life, they receive the most nutrient-rich foods through breastmilk, which provides optimum health benefits and ensures their survival and adequate physical growth and cognitive development.
Dr. Janet said to reach the national target of 80% of children exclusively breastfed, the whole of society must address women’s barriers to breastfeeding exclusively.
While the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and their partners work to ensure that malnourished children are provided with necessary therapeutic and feeding centres, more needs to be done to reduce and prevent malnutrition in the first place, she said .
Dr. Janet said encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life, followed by a combination of breast milk and complementary foods until age two, can play a crucial role in preventing and alleviating malnutrition among children in South Sudan.
“We should push for improved policies that support breastfeeding in the workplace, such as increasing the period of paid maternity leave aligned with global standards. It is important to increase funds to prevent malnutrition in South Sudan. Lactating mothers should receive appropriate breastfeeding breaks, work-site facilities and breastfeeding support. Making these policies work for mothers worldwide will accelerate progress,” she said.
Starting breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding for two years or more, provides the ideal beginning for a child’s growth and development, the Director explained.
She further called for a ban on bottle feeding and sale of milk tins in the hospitals, saying they are the leading cause of malnutrition among the new born babies.
