Health expert promotes Breastfeeding in South Sudan

A health expert is encouraging exclusive breastfeeding of children for the first six months, to guarantee a child its nutritional requirements.  

 

UNICEF estimates that over 90 per cent of babies in South Sudan benefit from breastfeeding. 

 

The UN Children’s Agency, says despite the high figures, nearly one third of children under six months old are not exclusively breastfed. 

 

The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. In line with this theme, WHO and UNICEF are calling on governments to protect and promote women's access to skilled breastfeeding counselling, a critical component of breastfeeding support.

 

Repent Khamis George, the Chairperson of the national nurses and midwifery association says breastmilk contains all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are required for an infant in the early stages of its life. 

 

Repent makes the comments in commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week which runs from the 1st to the 7th of August every year to raise awareness of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. 

 

Repent spoke to Radio Miraya in this 6” interview.