Ugandan authorities warn against aggressive promotion of breast milk substitutes

UGANDA – Uganda’s Ministry of Health has issued a strong warning against the aggressive promotion of breast milk substitutes in an effort to increase exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of an infant’s life.

Speaking at the launch of World Breastfeeding Week in Kampala, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the head of public health at the Ministry, emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing enforcement and supporting programs that ensure all babies receive essential breast milk.

“We have a responsibility to help mothers make better choices regarding breastfeeding their infants by improving funding for breastfeeding programs and enforcing legislation to end the aggressive promotion of breastfeeding substitutes,” Dr. Kyabayinze stated.

According to UNICEF, breast milk is the best and most complete food for babies during the first 1,000 days of life, helping prevent diseases and boosting brain development.

The Health Ministry aims to protect the rights of employed mothers and ensure community support for breastfeeding and health promotion programs that encourage breastfeeding for all.

The Assistant Commissioner for Nutrition at the Ministry, Samalie Namukose, urged employers to create breastfeeding corners in workplaces.

 She also highlighted the government’s initiative to establish breast milk banks in public health facilities to increase access for mothers unable to produce breast milk or babies who lose their mothers.

As the world commemorates World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7, UNICEF is urging policymakers to address inequalities and ensure that breastfeeding support is widely available.

This year’s theme, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” underscores the importance of universal access to breastfeeding resources.

According to experts, breast milk is a nutritional powerhouse, providing all essential nutrients for the first six months to two years of an infant’s life. Despite this, four out of every ten newborns still miss out on the right to a healthy start with appropriate first food.

To reach the global target of 50% of children being exclusively breastfed by 2025, society must address the barriers women face in breastfeeding exclusively. Providing supportive workplaces is crucial for success.

UNICEF calls for improved policies that support breastfeeding in the workplace, such as extending paid maternity leave to 18 weeks in line with global standards.

In addition, Dr. Kyabayinze emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach to support breastfeeding mothers.

 “By increasing funding for breastfeeding programs, enforcing legislation against the promotion of substitutes, and creating supportive environments at workplaces, we can ensure that more infants benefit from exclusive breastfeeding,” he said.