The Ministry of Health has called on the media to highlight the role of breastfeeding in promoting child survival, health and overall well-being ahead of the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week scheduled to take place between August 1-7.
Through a media sensitization event organized by the ministry, themed “Enabling breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents,” the session shed light on the immense benefits of breastfeeding for both the child and the mother.
Director of Nutrition and Dietetics Services at the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Veronica Kirogo, expressed the government’s commitment to collaborating with the media to support working parents and raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding.
“The Ministry of Health recognizes breastfeeding as an integral part of sustainable development. In alignment with global recommendations to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, Kenya has implemented essential legal and policy frameworks, providing an enabling environment for breastfeeding in the workplace”, she said.
According to her, the initiative aims to foster a strong and constructive partnership with the media, ensuring that accurate and impactful information on breastfeeding reaches the public.
Breastmilk has been found to provide all the essential nutrients infants need in the first 6 months and acts as a powerful immunization against life-threatening diseases, preventing 54% of diarrhea and 32% of respiratory infection episodes.
In addition, breastfeeding can reduce infection-related mortality by 88% among infants less than 3 months old.
