August 7
Madadeni: Breastfeeding Week 2015 was celebrated in the Amajuba
district in north-west KwaZulu Natal with a lively community event aimed at
raising awareness of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and of the
implementation of the Human Milk Bank at Newcastle Hospital.
“The broader goal is
to reduce child malnutrition and mortality,” explained Ms Sindisiwe Mchunu,
nutrition co-ordinator of Amajuba District.
“The rate of breastfeeding after delivery is very high – 90%
and above - but after discharge from hospital, most mothers are not practicing
exclusive breastfeeding and that is our challenge,” said Ms Mchnu. “The rate of
exclusive breastfeeding is very low: only 8%. This has contributed to high
rates of malnutrition in our district.
“Last year (2014/2015), the number of admissions for severe
acute malnutrition was above 200, compared to 155 in 2013/2014. So every year,
there is an increase.
“If we get 200 coming to hospital, how many more are there
in the communities? We see children as young as two months with malnutrition.
We think that if we get breastfeeding right, we can get that right.”
The event was attended by around 300 men and women of all
ages. This was deliberate, explained Ms
Mchunu, as care is often shared by members of the family.
“We had focus group discussions last year which showed that
when mothers have to go back to work or to school, that is when exclusive
breastfeeding stops. We need to target not just the mother but the community as
a whole. This means gogos and mkhulus.”
Ms Lungile Kubheka, an 18-year-old donor mother, gave a
moving account of how she is donating her breastmilk to the Human Milk Bank at
Newcastle Hospital.
Short dramas enacted by Mixed Media showing the everyday
obstacles encountered by nursing mothers had the audience in fits of
laughter. Umbrellas, baby beanies and
cooler bags with the pink and white Made by Mom branding were distributed to
those who correctly answered questions about the importance of exclusive
breastfeeding and human milk banking.
In a room at the back of the hall, nurses from the Newcastle
Hospital offered a full range of community services including immunization and
growth monitoring for children; screening for HIV, diabetes and hypertension as
well as family planning.
“When we get people together like this, we use the
opportunity to provide every service we possibly can,” explained Ms Mchunu.
