BUSIA COUNTY GV’T, NI COMMISSION BREASTFEEDING STATIONS
The County Government of Busia in partnership with Nutrition International (NI) has commissioned breastfeeding stations at the Port Victoria and Busia County Referral Hospitals.
The facilities which target to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months will benefit women among them healthcare workers who have been experiencing challenges in getting a place to breastfeed while on duty.
Speaking after unveiling the two stations, the Chief Officer in the Department of Health and Sanitation, Jonathan Ino said it is one of the high impact low cost interventions to achieve maximum benefit for the sake of the child.
“We are all aware the first exposure to the antibodies the child gets is through breastfeeding which will assure that child’s rate of survival,” he said.
Ino who was accompanied by the County Health Management Team (CHMT) raised concern over misconceptions on changes in physical appearance among women that has influenced early introduction of other foods and fluids, putting the life of children at risk.
“We must shun the false fallacy that breastfeeding will make breasts to lie low. Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding are quite enormous,” added the Chief Officer.
The County Nutrition Coordinator Scholastic Nabade said that the healthcare workers who report to work with their babies will have a conducive environment to breastfeed, adding that the station is safe for children to feed, sleep and play.
“In joining the World and the Nation in commemorating the breastfeeding week we felt that it was an opportune time for us to launch the stations,” she said.
The remarks were echoed by the Busia County Referral Hospital acting medical superintendent Dr Emma Namulala who said it is a relief to the health personnel.
Women expressed gratitude to the County Government and NI for prioritizing the interest of children, adding that the breastfeeding corners will give them privacy to breastfeed their children.
“We will be able to nurse our babies while at the hospital. Earlier on, it was difficult to breastfeed the children due to lack of a designated section,” said Silvena Simiyu, a resident of Mauko estate in Matayos Sub County.
NI County Program Coordinator Juliet Nduta encouraged the County Government to replicate breastfeeding stations in all work stations and common areas.
“Having breastfeeding stations within facilities and in common areas like markets would aid in ensuring that as a county, exclusive breastfeeding rates are not only increased but also maintained over time as the community would be able to understand the benefits and support mothers to exclusively breastfeed,” she said.
The theme for the World Breastfeeding week, 2022 is “Step up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support”.
In Busia County as per the KHIS data 2021, early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding proxy indicators are 93.9 and 82.4 per cent respectively, while in Kenya breastfeeding rates are at 62 and 61 per cent
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