JUBA – The government has planned to introduce a Breast Code to ensure inclusive breastfeeding for future child cognitive development and prevention of malnutrition.
This came following the damning child nutrition statistics in South Sudan which reveal that 1.4 million children were projected to suffer from malnutrition, where 313, 000 of that number comprised projected cases in 2021.
Some of the causes of the acute malnutrition rate have been attributed to lack of inclusive breastfeeding of children in the first six months after birth, the failure to observe the continuity with complementary foods for up to two years, and substitution of mother milk with processed milk.
According to the Rita Juam Demetry, Senior Nutrition Inspector, Infant, and Young Children Feeding Focal Point at the Ministry of Health, the code will enable mothers to inclusively breastfeed their children, ban the sale, advertise, and access to baby processed milk in the country.
“Because we don’t have the code, we cannot stop anybody from bringing this breast milk substitute into the country, and at the moment we working closely with our partners, UNICEF to develop a matrix code in this country,” said Juan ahead of breastfeeding week.
Breastfeeding commenced on August 1 and it will run to August 7, 2021, with the theme “Breastfeeding is a Shared Responsibility”, to call on everyone to ensure every child is breastfed for the first six months without introducing him or her to supplementary food.
Scientifically, breast milk has been proven as the best food for children within the first six months of life, and its combination with supplementary food after the six months up to two years. This prevents the children from infant morbidity and mortality, particularly against common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia.
“Exclusive breastfeeding of infants up to six months is the most effective way to protect a young child and ensure their health wellbeing and survival, said Elizabeth Achuei, in a UNICEF –Ministry of Health joint press conference ahead of the breastfeeding day.
Achuei who is the minister of health called on parents and child caregivers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding to prevent the effects of substituting breast milk with processed milk.
According to UNICEF Acting Representative in South Sudan, Benjamin Kilonzo, breastfeeding the child within the first four hours followed by exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months running into two years is critical to the wellbeing of the child.
“UNICEF is a keen proponent of exclusive breastfeeding in South Sudan, as promotion of exclusive breastfeeding is one of the major components of the integral approach to the prevention of malnutrition. Breastfeeding is natural, cost-effective, and safeguards the health of the child,” said Kilonzo.