Langata Hospital Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week
Langata Hospital in Nairobi County is joining more than 120 nations to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (WBW). It starts Thursday, 6 August and ends on Sunday, 8 August 2020.
WBW was started in 1992 to generate public awareness and support for breastfeeding. It is officially celebrated each year from 1-7 August. This year’s theme set by WHO and UNICEF is “Support Breastfeeding for a Healthier Planet”.
The WBW camp is free of cost and Langata Hospital will be distributing supplements to those attending the Mothers and Child Wellness Clinic. It is open to expectant and lactating mothers as well as children under five years of age. The WBW camp will follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines strictly.
It is being organised by the hospital’s Nursing, Counselling and Nutrition departments.
The Unicef Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus published a joint message on 31st July 2020 about the Breastfeeding Week:
“The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. In line with this theme, WHO and UNICEF are calling on governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling, a critical component of breastfeeding support.
Breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start in life. It delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers. And it forms part of a sustainable food system. But while breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. Mothers need support – both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding.”
