Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 3, 2020 (ZIZ News): Minister of Health The Hon. Akilah Byron-Nisbett has emphasized the government’s support and advocacy of breastfeeding as the nation observes World Breast Feeding Week.
In a national address on the weekend Minister Byron Nisbett said one of the ways the government is showing its support for breastfeeding is by implementing a multistep approach to healthy breastfeeding and continued advocacy for the creation of a positive environment to support breastfeeding clients and employees.
“Supporting breastfeeding requires us to challenge the barriers to breastfeeding wherever these may arise,” she said. “These barriers can exist in the home, in our communities, in our workplace and in recreational spaces. Therefore, we must ensure that women who opt to breastfeed feel comfortable doing so and are successful.
Outlining the reported benefits of breastfeeding Minister Byron Nisbett says public/private sector partnerships are critical to achieve and sustain higher breastfeeding rates.
”The longstanding benefits of breastfeeding are backed by strong scientific evidence which suggests that breastfeeding helps to protect against obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and Type 2 diabetes during adulthood,” she said. “Because of these benefits we strongly believe that collaborative action between government and private providers of healthcare will be crucial if we are to achieve and sustain higher breastfeeding rates. It is my belief that breastfeeding is critical for the public health of our country. Our common aim therefore should be to re-establish breastfeeding in St. Kitts and Nevis as a cultural norm thereby making it the natural chose for the vast majority of parents”
According to the Minister Byron Nisbett the Ministry is commemorating Breastfeeding Week with the launch of a mini-film highlighting the importance of breastfeeding featuring local mothers and health care providers and the launch of a maternity guide containing support information for breastfeeding mothers.
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