Primary Health Care Department in Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs represented by the Comprehensive Specialized Clinics organized a breastfeeding awareness week to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of infants. Family Medicine Consultant Dr. Razaz Wali pointed out that breastfeeding is the optimal way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need, where it’s recommended by the World Health Organization that until the baby is six months old, breastfeeding is ideal, after that, supplementary food nutrients can be added up to two years. Dr. Wali also said that the most important goals of the breastfeeding awareness week are:
Provide information about development objectives and how breastfeeding is key in infants and young children nutrition.
Highlight the progress made so far in breastfeeding with infant and young children.
Draw attention to the importance of promoting breastfeeding.
Intrigue young people interest of both sexes on the importance of breastfeeding in today's changing world.
Moreover, Dr. Wali also noted that this awareness week targeted (health workers - scholars – decision makers - associations and health organizations - pregnant women - mothers who have recently given birth - workering nursing mothers - associations and health organizations) with the participation of several associations and MNG-HA departments.
Dr. Wali made it very clear that Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients to help your infant grow into a strong and healthy toddler. Some of the nutrients in breast milk can also help in protecting your infant against some common infections and is the most appropriate for your baby’s digestive system. She said that every mother can breastfeed when educated properly, with the help of family and healthcare support. She also noted that despite research and evidence towards the Importance of breastfeeding, the current progress is not enough, as only about 32% to 39% of infants aged 0 to 6 months worldwide are exclusively breastfed from 1995 till 2010, and that the World Health Organization plan to increase exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months up to at least 50% by 2025 through the implementation of a global strategy. For infants, not being breastfed is associated with an increased incidence of infectious morbidity; 45% of neonatal deaths due to communicable infections, 30% resulting from diarrhea and 18% of child mortality is caused by acute respiratory infection in children less than 5 years old.
Last but not least, Deputy Executive Director of Primary Healthcare Medical Service, WR Dr. Fadhil Kamal, extended his appreciation to all organizations and institutions that have participated in this awareness week and everyone who had a role in the medical exhibition, noting the importance of raising the level of awareness amongst. He also said that the MNG-HA is always keen on participating in all occasions believing in the impact of awareness and education to the community.