Gauteng Health commemorates breastfeeding week
JOHANNESBURG – Breastfeeding is important, says the Gauteng Department of Health.
In an effort to reduce chronic conditions in infants and to ensure their healthy development in the province, the Gauteng Department of Health has joined the world in commemorating World Breastfeeding Week.
Under the theme Breastfeeding: a key to a sustainable development, during World Breastfeeding Week from 1 to 7 August, the department educated expectant and new mothers on the benefits of breast milk at all public health facilities across the province.
MEC Qedani Mahlangu said presently there were two fully functional Human Breast Milk Banks at Kalafong Tertiary and Steve Biko Academic hospitals.
She added that the department had four active collection sites at Dr George Mukhari, Far East Rand, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic and Rahima Moosa hospitals. Leratong Regional Hospital had also purchased a new human milk pasteurizer which will be running in due course.
Commenting on the efforts that the department was embarking on to ensure sufficient breast milk in the province, Mahlangu said, “Establishing more human banks in more facilities will help in the availability of human milk for the management of the infants that might need it. Six facilities have been identified for installation of human milk pasteurizers in the 2017/18 financial year.
“These facilities are Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic, Rahima Moosa, Sebokeng, Dr George Mkhari and Thelle Mogoerane hospitals, which will increase the number of established human milk banks to nine in the province.”
The department said exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for two years and beyond is encouraged to help provide babies with quality nutrients and adequate energy without putting any financial strains on a household budget.
