Dr Muhamad Rais (centre) with Saemah (right) and Dr Siti (left) cut a cake to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week at Lanang Health Clinic.
SIBU: Breastfeeding is one of the most important components in resolving malnutrition among babies and children, according to Divisional Health Officer Dr Muhamad Rais Abdullah.
He said the Health Ministry had targeted 58 per cent exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
“That means 58 per cent of mothers must only breastfeed their babies from birth until they are six months old,” he explained.
Speaking at the celebration of Sibu Division World Breastfeeding Week 2017 at Lanang Health Clinic on Tuesday evening, he said although the number of mothers who breastfeed exclusively for six months in Sibu is still quite low, the percentage is increasing every year.
“In 2015, only 20.7 per cent of mothers breastfed exclusively for six months. The percentage went up to 23.9 per cent in June 2017.
“For the first half of 2016 and 2017, there was an increase in six months exclusive breastfeeding among mothers, that is from 14.3 per cent from January to June in 2016 to 21.1 per cent for the same period in 2017.
“As such, I invite all Sibu folk to heed this call to ensure every newborn benefits from breastfeeding,” he said.
Dr Muhamad Rais said breastfeeding must continue to be promoted and called on everyone, man or woman, to do their bit.
“Husbands must support their wives during the breastfeeding period. Tolerance, understanding and helping one another is the key to breastfeeding success.
“Breastfeeding is beneficial for babies and mothers, and is economical in terms of not having to buy expensive formulated milk.”
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated during the first week of August every year.
This year, the theme is ‘Sustaining Breastfeeding Together’.
Sibu Breastfeeding Support Group chairperson Saemah Hamidon and programme chairperson Dr Siti Awa Abdul Ghalib were present at the event.