Dhlomo urges mothers to breastfeed their babies
Thirteen human breastmilk banks have been established at facilities across eight districts, to assist premature infants who are generally deprived of breast milk.
AS World Breastfeeding Week is being commemorated worldwide from 1 to 7 August, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has urged all mothers in the province to breastfeed their children for as long as possible in order to reap the many health benefits associated with breast milk for their babies and themselves. Dhlomo said in the province provision has been made to assist even those mothers who, for certain circumstances, cannot breastfeed.
“Thirteen human breast milk banks have been established at facilities across eight districts, to assist premature infants who are generally deprived of breast milk due to factors such as maternal deaths during birth, as well as mothers being too ill to lactate. Breastfeeding mothers also profit from the practice because it can help them lose the pregnancy weight and decrease their risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer. Breastfeeding has been proven to not only provide short term health outcomes such as protection from diarrhoea, respiratory infections, malnutrition and infant mortality, but improved intelligence and the prevention of diabetes and obesity in the long term as well,” said Dhlomo.
Dhlomo further announced that the Department will be running a campaign to protect, promote and support this natural and life-giving act throughout World Breastfeeding Week.The campaign is made up of a robust programme which includes various activities such as workshops demonstrating how to breastfeed; the benefits of breastfeeding and how to be a donor at the Department’s Human Milk Banks. The workshops will also cover issues pertaining to HIV and breastfeeding through campaign activities that will be held at various health facilities throughout the province.
In these workshops individuals and employers alike are urged to encourage women to breastfeed by creating a safe and supportive environment for them to do so. Employers are expected to comply with government laws on maternity leave. Allowing breastfeeding mothers time to express milk, as well as, explicitly state in code conducts how rude remarks about breastfeeding will be handled. Spouses and husbands will also be encouraged to give support through assisting with domestic chores so that the mother can have ample time to breastfeed her baby.
Emphasizing on the aspect of cooperation at home and in the communities, the MEC said, “There is a saying in isiZulu that says ‘Umuntu ungumuntu ngabantu’ which basically means we are all dependent on each other. In order to create a culture where breastfeeding is normalized and celebrated, we all need to take part and give support to those who are breastfeeding.”
