MEC Mashego encourages breastfeeding beyond awareness week

TSIMANYANE – The Limpopo Department of Health (LDoH) has from 1 August until last Wednesday embarked on awareness campaigns at various hospitals across the province to encourage mothers to continue breastfeeding their babies.

Closing off the campaign on 7 August, Limpopo MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego, said although the day was the last of the World Breastfeeding Awareness Week, as the department their responsibility remains to encourage all the mothers to continue with breastfeeding until their babies are old enough to take solid food.

Mashego emphasized on the importance of breastfeeding and how it plays a pivotal role in the well-being of babies.

“It is scientifically proven that breastfeeding strengthens the immune system of children as they grow older. Hence, we encourage every mother to continue breastfeeding their babies for as long as they can,” stated Mashego.

She further called on new mothers to embark on Executive Breastfeeding. “With Executive Breastfeeding, we encourage all the new mothers to continue feeding their kids (newborns) with breast milk for the next six months without any additional food,” advised Mashego during her visit at Matlala Hospital within Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality on the third day of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Matlala Hospital hosted an Imbozo in Tsantsabela Village in Elandskraal outside Marble Hall on the last day of the World Breastfeeding Awareness Week.

Different community organizations and stakeholders honoured the Imbizo. Key topics included hospital’s operations times and fees, current challenges encountered in maternal and child fatalities, HIV/AIDS and TB, and chronic disease management.