Mozambique: Covid-19 must not affect breastfeeding – First Lady

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Covid-19 must not affect breastfeeding – First Lady

4:05 CAT | 05 Aug 2020

File photo: O País

The first lady of Mozambique, Isaura Nyusi, said on Tuesday that Covid-19 should not compromise breastfeeding in the country, asking Mozambicans for greater awareness during World Breastfeeding Week.

“The presence of the Covid-19 pandemic should not compromise breastfeeding,” the First Lady says in a message marking the occasion, which takes place 1 to 7 August. “It is essential that the whole of society is involved in raising mothers’ awareness of the importance of breast feeding.”

“It is important that each of us contribute to advocacy on breastfeeding, establishing concrete actions that guarantee the rapid increase of mothers breastfeeding their babies,” the note adds.

This year global campaign, under the motto “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”, comes at a time when Covid-19 is a global challenge.

“I call on fathers to support the mothers in this breastfeeding process so that we can guarantee the health and safety of future generations,” Isaura Nyusi said.

The latest data on breastfeeding in Mozambique indicates that 45% of mothers do not feed their babies exclusively breast milk in the first six months of life, an option which may compromise the child’s development and health.

Maputo Central Hospital has a breast milk bank, the largest in the country, where milk for sick and premature newborns is voluntarily donated.

World Breastfeeding Week was established in 1992 by the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund, aimed at protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

Source: Lusa