Brunei Darussalam hopes to become a country that encultures breastfeeding as a practise that is encouraged, supported, protected and appreciated by every walk of life. In a message in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week 2022, the Minister of Health shared that this year, the country will focus on activities that promotes the practise of breastfeeding including through mass media, print media and social media aside from a continuous learning activity.
According to Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, such steps aim to empower and strengthen the capacity of stakeholders including the government, health system, workplace and community in providing and maintaining a friendly environment for post-pandemic breastfeeding practises. The rate of breastfeeding in the country has been affected from the target of 50 percent exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of a child’s life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the causes for this significant decrease is most likely related to the reduction of health talks and breastfeeding activities in all health facilities while the country is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this regard, the Minister of Health said that 10 Breastfeeding Workshop sessions for expecting parents from several health centres will be held in conjunction with Breastfeeding Week which is expected to strengthen and expand the actions that can be taken to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every 1st to 7th of August. This year’s celebration carries the theme, ‘Step up for breastfeeding: Educate and Support’, which underlines the link between breastfeeding and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
Source: Radio Television Brunei