๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ž๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐š๐ฅ ๐ˆ๐ง๐Ÿ๐š๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: ๐Š๐ž๐ง๐ฒ๐š'๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ž๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐Ÿ๐ž๐ž๐๐ข๐ง๐  ๐€๐๐ฏ๐จ๐œ๐š๐œ๐ฒ
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ž๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐š๐ฅ ๐ˆ๐ง๐Ÿ๐š๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: ๐Š๐ž๐ง๐ฒ๐š'๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ž๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐Ÿ๐ž๐ž๐๐ข๐ง๐  ๐€๐๐ฏ๐จ๐œ๐š๐œ๐ฒ

Promoting Optimal Infant Nutrition: Kenya's Progress in Breastfeeding Advocacy

MoH News / Thu, 03/14/2024 - 20:45
Nairobi, Kenya - 14th March 2024 - In Kenya, the journey towards optimal infant nutrition has seen remarkable strides in promoting breastfeeding, which plays a pivotal role in nurturing healthy infants and ensuring their survival due to its unmatched nutritional benefits.ย 
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ย However, recent data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS, 2022) indicates a slight decline in rates of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding. In response, Kenya has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering an environment conducive to breastfeeding through legislative and policy frameworks, aided by collaborations with key stakeholders like UNICEF and the Kenya Private Sector Allianceย 
(KEPSA).ย 
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ย Notably, concerted efforts have led to the establishment of lactation stations in over 100 organizations nationwide, alongside community-based initiatives like the Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).ย 
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ย These programs, supported by the Division of Nutrition and Dietetics Services, have enhanced the capacity of healthcare workers and community health promoters, with 902 community health units now implementing BFCI.ย 
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Additionally, through projects like the Nutrition Improvement through Cash and Health Education (NICHE), co-implemented by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, significant progress has been made.ย 
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Training initiatives, such as the Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) program, have equipped professionals from 28 counties with expertise in BFHI. According to the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni Muriuki despite these achievements, the Ministry remains resolute in its dedication to prioritizing child health by advocating for optimal breastfeeding practices.