‘Breastfeeding is a human right,” says health department
The health minister has appealed to the public to support breastfeeding mothers as World Breastfeeding Week kicks off.
HEALTH Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has urged the public to support breasting feeding mothers by creating an environment that promotes breastfeeding.
This as World Breastfeeding Week kicked off today. Breastfeeding Week is held annually between the 1 to 7 of August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. This year the theme for the week is “Sustaining Breastfeeding Together”.
“Breastfeeding is a human right, not just a woman’s issue or the sole responsibility of a woman, but the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is a collective societal responsibility,” said Motsoaledi.
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According to the South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS), the rate of exclusive breastfeeding has increased from eight per cent in 2003 to 32 per cent in 2016.
However, Motsoaledi said that the Department has yet to reach its 50 per cent mark.
“Less than a fifth of the mothers continue to breastfeed for the recommended 24 months,” he said.
A substantial body of evidence shows that breastmilk contains antibodies that protect babies from diarrhoea, respiratory, ear, urinary tract infections and other childhood diseases.
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Breastfed babies are also less likely to be overweight and to develop type-II diabetes later in life.
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