Breastfeeding statistics concerns health dept
Breastfeeding is important as it promotes an infant’s overall health and survival.
THE Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has expressed concerns over the low rates of breastfeeding in South Africa. This as the global community celebrates World Breastfeeding Week from 1 to 7 August.
According to Motsoaledi, the country’s exclusive breastfeeding rates are among the lowest in the world. The minister said breastfeeding was important as it promotes an infant’s overall health and survival.
“In South Africa we estimate that only 39 per cent of mothers breastfeed exclusively for 14 weeks after the baby is born and the figure is much lower at six months at only eight per cent,” he said.
“We must all work harder to ensure that we support mothers to exclusively breastfeed for at least six months and rapidly reach a target of at least 50 per cent of mothers breastfeeding for at least six months after the infant is born,” added Motsoaledi.
The current child mortality rate in South Africa is 56 per 1 000 births. The country’s National Development Plan (NDP) hopes to reduce the number to 30 by 2030.
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