Ministry of Health and UNICEF call for an increase in breastfeeding practice in South Sudan
Breastmilk is the only food a baby needs for the first six months of life and the best practice to reduce high levels of malnutrition in South Sudan as the world commemorates World Breastfeeding Week from 1 to 7 August, the Ministry of Health and UNICEF reiterate their call to all policymakers to protect and promote, and to all mothers to increase the practice of exclusive breastfeeding of infants up to six months of age.
South Sudan has made commendable progress in the past decade and levels of exclusive breastfeeding have increased from 45% in 2010 to 68% in 2020. However, this is not enough as three out of every ten newborns remain denied their right to a healthy start to life.
Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and complementary feeding after six months along with continued breastfeeding until a child turns two years old and beyond, helps build a child’s immunity, and protects them against common childhood illnesses.
Exclusive breastfeeding is also the most defensive weapon in a mother’s arsenal to protect her child from malnutrition.
“Exclusive breastfeeding of infants up to six months is the most effective way to protect a young child and ensures their health, wellbeing and survival. The Ministry of Health, UNICEF and other partners will use the opportunity of the World Breastfeeding Week to further promote this message to every mother and caregiver,” said Minister for Health, Hon. Elizabeth Achuei.
When infants are exclusively breastfed during the first six months of their life, they receive the most nutrient-rich foods through breastmilk, which provides optimum health benefits and ensures their survival and adequate physical growth and cognitive development.
Besides the breastfeeding rates, the child nutrition statistics in South Sudan are quite grim. In 2021, 1.4 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition and 313,000 from severe acute malnutrition, which is the highest level since 2013.
While the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and their partners work hard to ensure that malnourished children are provided necessary therapeutic treatment and feeding centres are set up, more needs to be done to reduce and prevent malnutrition in the first place.
Exclusive breastfeeding of infants for up to six months, coupled with complementary foods until they turn two years of age, will help prevent and mitigate the onset of malnutrition among children in South Sudan.
