Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Health Reporter
ZIMBABWE has joined the global community in commemorating International Breastfeeding Week, which runs from August 1 to 7, with calls for increased support for breastfeeding mothers to improve child health and nutrition outcomes.
This year’s commemorations are running under the theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: create Sustainable Support Systems”, highlighting the need for stronger systems to ensure mothers receive adequate care and information to successfully breastfeed.
Breastfeeding remains one of the most effective interventions to prevent child malnutrition, illness and death, yet many mothers still face barriers such as inadequate workplace policies and limited access to lactation support.
Exclusive breastfeeding rates in Zimbabwe have dropped to about 20,1 percent, with early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth standing at 86 percent.
Continued breastfeeding between 12 and 23 months is at 52 percent, which is below the recommended levels.
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life can prevent up to 13 percent of under-five deaths.
Bongani Ndlovu