{"id":398816,"date":"2026-08-09T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/informante.web.na\/?p=398816"},"modified":"2026-08-08T23:05:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T21:05:14","slug":"health-ministry-urges-greater-support-for-breastfeeding-mothers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/informante.web.na\/?p=398816","title":{"rendered":"Health Ministry urges greater support for breastfeeding mothers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Staff Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has called for stronger support systems for breastfeeding mothers as Namibia joined the global commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week 2026, highlighting breastfeeding as a key public health priority for improving maternal and child health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Susan Ndjaleka said breastfeeding provides children with essential nutrition, strengthens immunity, protects against infections and malnutrition, and supports healthy growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking during the commemoration, Ndjaleka stressed that breastfeeding should not be viewed as only a mother\u2019s responsibility, but as a shared commitment involving families, communities, employers, healthcare workers and government institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photos: Ministry of Health and Social Services-Namibia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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She called for expanded breastfeeding counselling services at health facilities, more breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, increased public awareness and stronger family support for mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBabies must be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of their life. It\u2019s a must, it\u2019s not a choice,\u201d Ndjaleka said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that after six months, children should be introduced to safe and nutritious complementary foods while breastfeeding continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed the ministry\u2019s commitment to strengthening maternal and child nutrition programmes, expanding breastfeeding support initiatives and creating sustainable systems that empower mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF Namibia Country Representative Samuel Ocran encouraged fathers to take a more active role in supporting breastfeeding mothers, saying breastfeeding is a shared family responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBreastfeeding is not only the mother\u2019s responsibility. It is a family responsibility. It is a father\u2019s responsibility,\u201d Ocran said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that fathers who support breastfeeding mothers are investing in the health, strength and future of their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representing the Khomas Governor, Katutura East Councillor Richard Gaoseb also encouraged parents to prioritise breastfeeding and called for greater involvement of fathers in promoting children\u2019s health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One mother who shared her breastfeeding experience said the practice helped strengthen the bond between her and her baby while ensuring that the child received the necessary nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time was a special moment and it helped me and my baby build a strong bond,\u201d she said, adding that exclusive breastfeeding for six months provides many benefits for both mother and child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ministry said World Breastfeeding Week serves as an opportunity to renew efforts to protect, promote and support breastfeeding as part of Namibia\u2019s broader maternal and child health goals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Staff Reporter THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has called for stronger support systems for breastfeeding mothers as Namibia joined the global commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week 2026, highlighting breastfeeding as a key public health priority for improving maternal and child health. Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Susan Ndjaleka said breastfeeding provides …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":398817,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-398816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nHealth Ministry urges greater support for breastfeeding mothers - Informant\u00e9<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has called for stronger support systems for breastfeeding mothers as Namibia joined the global...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/informante.web.na\/?p=398816\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Health Ministry urges greater support for breastfeeding mothers - 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