Published by the government of Zimbabwe
1 August 2007
Harare — ZIMBABWEANS today join 120 countries in the 2007 World Breastfeeding Week, a campaign dedicated to mobilise the world for the improvement of practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
This year's weeklong commemoration is being marked under the theme: "Breastfeeding: The First Hour Saves One Million Babies".
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare said the objective of this year's commemorations was to mobilise the world to protect one million babies by encouraging mothers to start breastfeeding in the first hour of their babies' lives.
The ministry said the celebrations were also being linked to the implementation and revitalisation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global attempt to enhance early initiation of breastfeeding.
In addition, the commemorations seek to ensure that families know how important a baby's first hour is, so that they can make sure that their babies are given this opportunity.
World Health Organisation director general, Dr Margaret Chan said her organisation will continue to support early and exclusive breastfeeding to as many children as possible.
She said at least 10 million children in developing countries die before their fifth birthday due to preventable causes, such as malnutrition because of the failure by mothers to breastfeed their babies after giving birth.
The first hour, she added, could reduce early child deaths to about 13 percent.
Dr Chan also said by supporting immediate maternal-infant contact with early initiation of breastfeeding, this would contribute to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal such as the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger and reduction of child mortality.
The commemorations will also be celebrated through public awareness campaigns, drama, music, poetry and public testimonies.
Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr David Parirenyatwa is also expected to launch the baby breastfeeding week in Zaka, Masvingo on August 8.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2007 The Herald. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
