The Sultanate is observing World Breastfeeding Week until August 7, under the theme ‘Close the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All’.
The event, celebrated globally since 1992, aims to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and promote a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
In a statement yesterday, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar emphasised the vital role of breastfeeding in ensuring the health of both mother and child.
He highlighted that breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies, crucial for a baby’s optimal growth and immune protection.
The practice of exclusive breastfeeding also helps prevent various health issues, including infections, malocclusion, and constipation, while promoting cognitive development.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham reiterated the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods up to two years or beyond.
He stressed the importance of comprehensive and ongoing support for breastfeeding mothers from all sectors, including family, community, workplaces, and government.
The support is crucial for mothers to successfully breastfeed their children anytime and anywhere.
Islamic teachings also recognise breastfeeding as a natural practice, as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 233, encouraging mothers to breastfeed for two full years.
In the Sultanate, the introduction of the Maternity Leave Regulations in 2011 significantly increased the rate of exclusive breastfeeding from 29 per cent in 2011 to 47 per cent in 2019.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted these rates, with a decline to 38 per cent in 2023. The Ministry of Health aims to reach a target of 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding by 2025, in line with the WHO’s Global Nutrition Targets 2025.
The minister acknowledged challenges faced by new mothers, especially during the first week postpartum, and announced plans to strengthen the “Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative” (BFHI) across all maternal and child health services in the country.
The initiative includes enhancing the skills and competencies of healthcare professionals to provide compassionate and knowledgeable breastfeeding counseling.
The ministry also supports the formation of mother-to-mother support groups within the community to provide continuous encouragement for breastfeeding.
Dato Dr Haji Mohd Isham highlighted the critical role of husbands and families in supporting breastfeeding mothers, as well as the need for public spaces to be breastfeeding-friendly.
He also called on employers to create a conducive work environment for breastfeeding mothers by ensuring maternity leave protection, providing breastfeeding facilities, and offering flexible work schedules.
The ministry urged all sectors of society to continue supporting breastfeeding mothers, ensuring the well-being of infants and children and fostering a healthy, sustainable future generation. – Fadley Faisal
