Towards a new wave of support

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), will organize an orientation workshop at the Port Louis docks from 5 to 8 August 2024. The goal is to develop the legal parameters needed to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in line with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

The event brings together participants from public and private institutions, non-governmental organizations and civil associations. It is part of World Breastfeeding Week 2024, celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and breast milk. This year’s theme is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.” In 1981, the 34th World Health Assembly adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. The code consists of recommendations regulating the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, baby bottles and teats, with the aim of protecting and promoting proper nutrition for infants. According to the World Health Organization, it seeks “Stop aggressive and inappropriate marketing” These products.

Inaugurating the seminar, Health Minister Kailesh Jagutpal stressed that the code was drawn up to protect breastfeeding mothers. He regretted that these mothers are often targeted with aggressive advertisements of breast milk substitutes even before their children are born. “The marketing of infant milk and other alternatives may influence mothers’ choices and lead to a decline in breastfeeding rates.” The minister said restricting the marketing of breast-milk substitutes was essential to protect the interests of breastfeeding mothers and safeguard the health and future of their children.

However, he lamented that despite the high rate of breastfeeding initiation in public hospitals, only 20% of mothers in Mauritius exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months.

The minister also stressed the need to implement the National Breastfeeding Action Plan 2022-2027, with the goal of achieving 50% breastfeeding among children by 2027. Initiatives under the plan include training of health professionals, community awareness campaigns, breastfeeding support policies in hospitals and setting up breastfeeding corners in health facilities.

Additionally, Dr. Jagutpal announced that the Ministry’s Research Unit is currently conducting a contraceptive prevalence survey to assess breastfeeding practices over the past five years and measure progress since the launch of the National Plan of Action. “In addition, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Child and Mother Group, will soon conduct a survey to determine the exclusive breastfeeding rate and assess barriers to breastfeeding,” He concluded.