By Hellenah Niwasiima
On Friday, August 30, 2024, the Ministry of Health celebrated World Breastfeeding Month 2024 with a poignant ceremony under the theme “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.” The event, organized in partnership with various organizations, aimed to honor breastfeeding mothers, highlight the critical importance of breastfeeding, and introduce new programs designed to support breastfeeding families.
Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health and the Chief Guest, spoke on behalf of Minister for Health Jane Ruth Acheng. He expressed gratitude to the partners who contributed to the event’s success and reminded the audience of the essential benefits of breastfeeding. Dr. Kyabayinze emphasized that breast milk provides vital antibodies that help build a baby’s immunity and noted the role of breastfeeding in reducing the risk of breast cancer for mothers. He called for increased awareness and support for breastfeeding, recommending early initiation within the first hour of birth and extending breastfeeding support up to two years, with specific considerations for HIV-infected mothers.
Betty Esther Naluyima, Member of Parliament for Wakiso District, acknowledged the challenges of promoting breastfeeding amidst limited resources but assured continued parliamentary support. She highlighted efforts to create workplace breastfeeding spaces, allocate funds for breastfeeding programs, and collaborate with organizations to enhance nutrition security. Naluyima also urged support for mothers facing food scarcity, particularly in Kitenzi tents.
Samalie Namukose, Assistant Commissioner in Charge of Nutrition at the Ministry of Health, urged all mothers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour and continue up to two years (or one year for HIV-infected mothers). She highlighted the significant economic return on investing in breastfeeding, stating that every dollar invested yields a return of $35. Namukose thanked mothers for their dedication, noting a 68% breastfeeding rate, and called for increased funding and support from partners and donors. She also encouraged mothers to engage with Ministry of Health initiatives, especially those supporting mothers in challenging circumstances.
Busingye Belinda, a nutritionist and mother of four, shared her breastfeeding journey. Despite initial challenges, including multiple surgeries that affected her ability to breastfeed, she successfully overcame these issues through medical intervention and continued breastfeeding for four years.
The ceremony concluded with the Ministry of Health recognizing hospitals for their excellence in maternity and healthcare services. Case Hospital was awarded first place, followed by St. Joseph Hospital Wakiso in second place and St. Francis Nsambya in third place.
This event underscored the importance of breastfeeding and the collective effort needed to support mothers, improve health outcomes for infants, and bridge existing gaps in breastfeeding support.