The Upper East Region’s Ghana Health Service (GHS) has called upon organizations, government departments, and agencies within the area to establish a supportive environment that allows nursing staff to comfortably breastfeed their infants.
The Regional Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Josephat Ana-Imwine Nyuzaghi, made the call when he addressed stakeholders after a float on major streets in the Bolgatanga Municipality to create awareness on the need for exclusive breastfeeding as part of activities to mark this year’s breastfeeding month.
“We want to draw the attention of organizations, departments and agencies in the Region on the need to create an enabling environment for our lactating mothers to breastfeed comfortably,” he said.
He emphasized that this initiative would play a crucial role in encouraging exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months after birth. This, in turn, would ensure that infants receive the full benefits of breast milk nutrients and reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases.
The celebration was on the theme: “Enabling breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents.”
Dr. Nyuzaghi pointed out that lactating mothers require a comfortable and private space within their workplaces to enable them to sit and breastfeed their infants.
He further highlighted that some nursing mothers are compelled to leave their babies at home while they work, and the well-being of these infants remains uncertain.
“Some workers who are capable sometimes express the milk and leave it behind for other caregivers to support in the breastfeeding.
“This can be challenging, once the mothers are not there to witness what is happening at home. It is appropriate that at the work place, we have a convenient place for mothers to breastfeed. I want to encourage all of you to talk positively about breastfeeding.
“We need as stakeholders, wherever we find ourselves, to talk more about breastfeeding and encourage mothers to breastfeed their children. For the first six months, the breastmilk virtually has everything that the child needs,” he said.
Dr. Nyuzaghi clarified that the belief that breast milk lacks water, leading some parents to provide water to infants under six months of age, is incorrect. He stressed that infants given water during their first six months of life are at risk of developing diarrheal diseases.
“So, we need to continue to emphasize the fact that for the first six months, mothers should exclusively breastfeed their babies and whatever the child needs for the first six months can be found in breast milk,” he noted.
Dr. Nyuzaghi additionally emphasized that breast milk contains sufficient antibodies that can assist infants in combating diseases they may encounter during the early weeks of life. He strongly advocated for exclusive breastfeeding during this period.
He also highlighted that as babies progress beyond six months, their growth accelerates, and breast milk alone may no longer suffice to meet their nutritional needs.
“This is where the issue of complementary feeding comes in. But it is important that beyond the six months up to two years, the child would still need breast milk.
“So, beyond the six months period, it is important we still continue to encourage mothers to breastfeed up to two years alongside the complementary feeding,” he said.
The celebration united various stakeholders, encompassing nurses, midwives, members of the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association, as well as staff and students from the Community Development Vocational Technical Institute, among others.