Kenya marks World Breastfeeding Week

Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-02 22:49:33|Editor: yan
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NAIROBI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Thursday joined the international community in marking the World Breastfeeding Week, vowing to reach a target of 80 percent breastfeeding by 2025.

Sicily Kariuki, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, said the government will ensure that mothers are not influenced to use milk substitutes as opposed to breastfeeding.

"Policies and guidelines are in place to ensure that mothers, including those who are HIV positive are supported to breastfeed by family members, social networks and employers even in times of crisis," Kariuki said this during the celebrations marking the World Breastfeeding Week in Nairobi.

Kariuki noted that the gains stem from accelerated efforts in promotion, protection and support for breastfeeding including enactment of the breast milk substitutes.

"These achievements have accorded Kenya recognition as one of the countries that is on track to achieve the World Health Assembly target in maternal and child nutrition," she added.

The CS revealed that the government has increased the number of days for leave to 90 days and a mother is allowed to add the annual leave days and also allowed paternity leave of two weeks.

According to Ministry of Health, breastfeeding has the potential to save the lives of 823,000 children and 20,000 women a year and contribute significantly to long-term health.

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