Rongo: Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged Kenyan mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants for six months, emphasizing its role in boosting the immune system of young children.
According to Kenya News Agency, Muthoni highlighted a decline in exclusive breastfeeding rates, dropping from 62 percent in 2014 to 60 percent in 2022, during the World Breastfeeding Week event at Rongo University in Migori County. She noted a similar decrease in early initiation rates of exclusive breastfeeding from 63 percent to 61 percent over the same period. These figures fall short of the global target of 70 percent, while bottle feeding has increased from 22 percent to 34 percent in the last decade.
Muthoni stressed the dual benefits of breastfeeding, enhancing infant immunity and strengthening mother-child bonds. She underscored that World Breastfeeding Week, commencing on August 1, offers a vital platform for awareness and community mobilization, reaffirming the government’s dedication to supporting breastfeeding mothers. This year’s theme, prioritizing breastfeeding and sustainable support systems, aligns with Kenya’s agenda to reduce infant mortality by 13 percent.
The Health Act of 2017 mandates employers to provide facilities for breastfeeding mothers, and the government has introduced policies such as 90 days of maternity leave and 14 days of paternity leave to support family bonding. Community health promoters have been actively educating families on hygiene practices to prevent malnutrition during breastfeeding.
The government is also advancing the baby-friendly hospital and community initiatives, with over 1,500 community health units established nationwide. Muthoni revealed efforts to enhance county-level capacity for breastfeeding support through trained community health promoters.
Migori County statistics show that 15 percent of girls under 18 give birth, a trend Muthoni warned could impact exclusive breastfeeding rates, as schools lack facilities for young mothers. She commended Rongo University’s daycare facility, which supports both staff and students, as a model for increasing breastfeeding rates in the county.
The Linda Mama programme, offering financial support for childbirth, was also highlighted by Muthoni, who encouraged enrollment to alleviate healthcare costs. Migori Governor Dr. Ochilo Ayacko echoed the importance of breastfeeding for future generations’ health, committing to ongoing advocacy and support through community health workers.
Governor Ayacko announced plans to provide daycare facilities in markets, enabling businesswomen to balance work and childcare. He emphasized the county’s dedication to public health and enhancing health systems for a thriving population.
Rongo University Vice Chancellor Prof Samuel Gudu shared that the daycare facility has enabled student mothers to balance academic and maternal responsibilities, while staff benefit from peace of mind and increased motivation.
