Health Centre says no to formula milk
A Giyani couple was left disgruntled after they visited Giyani Health Centre with their three month-old baby on Saturday.
The man who asked to remain anonymous said they were surprised when the security guard at the Health Centre asked them to leave the formula milk by the gate.
The couple said when they asked why they had to leave the milk, they were told mothers are not allowed to feed their babies formula milk with bottles at the premises unless they use a cup.
They continued to state that even though the centre is promoting breastfeeding their worry is mothers who cannot breastfeed due to other reasons.
The Department of Health spokesperson, Mack Lesufi said this has been going on for years and people need to know about it.
He said a three month-old baby’s digestive system is not fully developed and therefore some milk is not good for the digestive system.
Lesufi added that after a mother has given birth specific milk is provided. ‘This is one of the ways to avoid cross infection,’ he said.
