Health workers in Western Equatoria State on Thursday called for a concerted effort to encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their newborns for the first six months of their lives.
This came during celebrations on World Breastfeeding Day in Yambio town.
Natemo William Louis, Nutrition Project Manager at the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) in Western Equatoria State, emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding as he addressed the audience during the celebration in Yambio.
“Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and complementary feeding after six months, along with continued breastfeeding until a child turns two years old, helps to build immunity and protects newborn children against common childhood illnesses,” Natemo said.
Highlighting the role of exclusive breastfeeding as a powerful tool for mothers in safeguarding their children from malnutrition, Natemo noted that Western Equatoria State has contributed to the concerning statistics of mothers who do not exclusively breastfeed their infants for the recommended duration.
“As CMMB, our main focus is on children and mothers in this state. I know that, as you have heard before, in the country, only 2.4% of women exclusively breastfeed for up to six months. Western Equatoria has contributed to the remaining statistics of women who don’t exclusively breastfeed for up to six months. We have to combat some of the misconceptions around exclusive breastfeeding, especially when introducing complementary foods to babies,” he said.
“We want to encourage exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, and mothers can then introduce their babies to other foods while continuing to breastfeed,” he stressed.
State Minister of Health James Abdullah Aron, reassured the public that the government is committed to ensuring the well-being of mothers and children by providing access to essential health services.
He urged parents to prioritize the health of their infants and refrain from engaging in sexual activities that could endanger the child while breastfeeding.
Additionally, he called upon health partners to extend their awareness campaigns to grassroots communities, emphasizing the importance of collective support and unity among South Sudanese citizens.
Martha Aniwe, a mother of four children, shared her experience of learning about breastfeeding while pregnant during a hospital visit.
She called on fellow women to seek medical attention when needed, saying, “Children should be taken care of. They should be safe. Don’t let your children be exposed to locations where they can be vulnerable to disease, and if a child falls ill, it is crucial to seek immediate medical assistance at a health facility.”