The Eastern Cape Department of Health, in partnership with the National Department of Health and other stakeholders, is commemorating World Breastfeeding Week with renewed calls to strengthen breastfeeding support and improve infant nutrition.
To mark the week, the National Department of Health, together with the provincial department, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other partners, are conducting community outreach activities across the province.
A flagship event is taking place today at the Nkondlo African Gospel Church in Engcobo, in the Chris Hani District Municipality, where pregnant women, mothers, fathers, healthcare workers and community members are participating in breastfeeding awareness activities, including a joint breastfeeding session.
Similar events are being held in provinces across the country to strengthen community support for breastfeeding and encourage healthy starts for children.
Observed annually from 1 to 7 August, World Breastfeeding Week aims to raise awareness about the health, social and economic benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers.
This year's campaign is being held under the theme: "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works", highlighting the role of breastfeeding in improving nutrition, enhancing food security, reducing poverty and promoting cost-effective interventions that support mothers.
According to the Department of Health, South Africa's exclusive breastfeeding rate stands at 22%, well below the global target of 60% by 2030. In comparison, the World Health Organization estimates that nearly 48% of infants under six months of age were exclusively breastfed worldwide in 2024.
The department said improving breastfeeding practices is critical to reducing infant mortality, addressing childhood malnutrition and improving maternal health outcomes.
“Breastmilk remains a baby's first vaccine and best protection against illness and disease,” the department said ahead of Tuesday’s flagship event.
Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients infants require during the first months of life and continues to meet a significant portion of a child's nutritional needs throughout the first two years.
The department continues to encourage mothers to initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, and continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods until children reach two years of age and beyond.
The campaign also emphasises that breastfeeding is a shared responsibility, requiring support from government, employers, healthcare workers, families and communities to create environments that enable mothers to breastfeed successfully. – SAnews.gov.za
