The document summarizes the Hon. Minister Dr. Zwelini Mkhize's speaking notes for the 2020 World Breastfeeding Week virtual commemoration. The summary highlights that breastfeeding provides crucial immune and nutritional benefits for both children and mothers. It also notes that while COVID-19 has not been found to transmit through breastmilk, the pandemic has impacted services like immunizations and growth monitoring. The document calls for continued support of breastfeeding initiatives in South Africa.

1. WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK VIRTUAL COMMEMORATION
Speaking Notes for Hon. Minister Dr. Zwelini Mkhize
4 AUGUST 2019
(10-15 minutes)
It gives me great pleasure to revisit and speak on a fundamental aspect
of preventative health care- the importance of breastfeeding for a
healthy society.
Saturday 1st August marked the start of the World Breastfeeding Week.
This year we continue to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week
under the difficult challenge if dealing with the Covid-19 global
pandemic. World Breastfeeding Week remains an important strategy to
reaffirm our commitment as government to protect, promote, and
support breastfeeding to improve the health, nutrition and development
of babies.
This year’s theme is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier South
Africa”.
Under the current circumstances we are mindful that families, mothers,
caregivers and even some healthcare workers in particular are worried
and asking many questions whether the coronavirus can be passed on
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr MJ Phaahla
Director-General: Dr SSS Buthelezi
UNICEF Deputy Country Representative: Ms Muriel Mafico
SACSoWACH Chairperson: Ms Precious Robinson
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2. through breastmilk and how can they protect themselves and their
babies. I can assure you that the Covid-19 virus has not been found in
breastmilk and research evidence has shown that the virus is not
transmitted through breastmilk or by giving breastmilk that has been
expressed from a mother who is confirmed/ suspected to have Covid-19.
Academic experts in South Africa have established a pregnancy register to
evaluate poten6al harm to pregnant women and/or their babies caused by
Covid-19 infec6on. Excellent progress has been made in studying mothers and
babies who have been affected by COVID-19 and the issue of breasFeeding in
the context of COVID-19 came into sharp focus. Based on these studies,
mothers who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are encouraged to
con6nue breast feeding while prac6cing good respiratory hygiene:
• Wearing of a mask
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer
• Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces
A baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed and requires the
immune protection from breastmilk. This life saving protection is more
important than ever right now during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Breastfeeding can protect children from many other illnesses and
conditions such as diarrhoea, chest infections, diabetes, and heart
disease. Nearly half of diarrhoea episodes and one third of respiratory
infections are due to lack of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding also offers
children long-lasting protection against conditions such as diabetes,
cancer, asthma and malnutrition. And there are benefits for moms too!
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3. Breastfeeding provides protection against postpartum haemorrhage after
the baby is born. The long term benefits are that chances of getting
breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer are reduced. In
addition, breastfeeding facilitates bonding between baby and mom by
triggering the release of large amounts of oxytocin. This is also the same
hormone that causes the uterus to contract thus reducing the chances of
post party hemorrhage. Breastfeeding is nature’s way of protecting the
physical and mental wellbeing of mothers and babies in the first critical
years of life.
Breastfeeding not only provides protection against illnesses but also
complete nutrition for the first six months; half or more of a child’s energy
needs between 6 and 12 months and one third nutrition between 12 and
24 months. Among the reasons why there is an increase in malnutrition
especially in children under five is because many mothers wean their
children to quickly, large due to socio-economic pressures on women in
modern times.
According to the 2016 Demographic Health Survey South Africa has an
estimated 27.4% (1 in 4 children) children under the age of five being
stunted (low height for a child’s age) and 3% wasted (low weight for
height). Stunting is a result of chronic undernutrition. Stunting during the
first two years of life is particularly damaging, and may be irreversible.
Prolonged undernutrition compromises a child’s physical and mental
development and are at a higher risk of getting diseases like heart
disease and diabetes in adulthood. There is a clear link between
malnutrition and lack of breastfeeding. Furthermore, our current levels of
exclusive breastfeeding 1 in 4 children (32%) is not good enough.
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4. South Africa’s recommendation of optimal infant feeding is in line with
the global recommendation for infant feeding. Breastfeeding should
begin within the first hour after birth, and all babies – regardless of the
mother’s HIV status – should be exclusively breastfed for the first six
months of life. This means only breastmilk, not even water for the first
six months. Babies need nothing else, no additional food or solids; and
absolutely no infant formula. Safe, nutritious, adequate and appropriate
complementary feeding should be started after six months and
breastfeeding continued for two years or longer.
We would also like to take this opportunity to highlight other aspects of
maternal and child care closely related to breastfeeding that are cause
for concern because of the impact of COVID-19.
We have noticed that some babies and children are missing their
immunisations and growth monitoring during this time. Many of the
illnesses we vaccinate against – such as measles, polio and meningitis-
are much more dangerous for children than Covid-19. I urge all mothers,
fathers and caregivers not to default on their children’s vaccination
schedules for fear of visiting a facility and contracting COVID-19. Our
facilities all have a triage mechanism whereby patients with flu-like
illnesses are separated from patients presenting for other reasons. This
is to ensure that access to quality health care is not compromised during
the COVID-19 surge.
Despite the challenges the health system faces, I was very pleased to
get a report from Dr. Leslie Bamford that the National Breast Bank has
been able to keep ample stock of breastmilk throughout the period of the
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5. COVID-19 pandemic. Donated breastmilk is a critical resource in
managing children who cannot breastfeed for various reasons but whose
optimal treatment includes the administration of breastmilk. The vast
majority of these patients are premature babies who benefit enormously
from the properties contained in breast milk. I would therefore like to
encourage all health care workers to contact the nearest Breast Bank if
they require breast milk for their patients and to assure them that there is
adequate stock at this stage.
We will continue with our efforts to support and empower mothers and
primary caregivers with information on their parenting journey, even
during these difficult times, from pregnancy stage until the child turns 5
years old.
Our mission as a department is to ensure our children thrive, not just
survive.
Some of these platforms and interventions include MomConnect (a
multi-faceted programme with over 2 million registered mothers, that
creates demand for maternal health services as well as improves the
supply and quality of those services) and Side-by-Side (a campaign for
pregnant women and caregivers of children younger than 5 years, which
uses multiple communication channels). We have just launched Season
2 of our Side-by-Side radio shows. These radio shows are which
broadcast weekly in ten official languages and aim to provide caregivers
and community members with information on the full range of care that
children require to ensure that they develop optimally.
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6. To access all breastfeeding support resources and information, please
visit www.sidebyside.co.za/resources. One can also join the caregiver
community on www.facebook.com/SidebySideSA/ for more
breastfeeding information or to enter monthly competitions
I would therefore like to launch this year’s World Breastfeeding Week in
South Africa and call on everyone including partners, healthcare
workers, employers and families to play their part in creating a
conducive environment for mothers to breastfeed their babies for a
healthier South Africa.
Breastfeeding is a natural phenomenon- a beautiful reflection of
humanity’s foundation. African culture has always embraced, indeed
normalized, breastfeeding and this is a culture we need to re-inculcate in
modern society. Women must be able to feed their babies anywhere,
anytime, without feeling any shame in doing so. We call on all men
women to support natural breastfeeding in any environment whether it
be work, in public places, in gatherings, churches or even at home when
other people enter into that space.
I thank you
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