Gambia surpasses WABA’s one-week exclusive breastfeeding campaign

The WBW, which is annually observed in The Gambia, was initiated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) from 1st to 7th August each year.

In a bid to champion an exclusive six-month breastfeeding for a healthier nation, the National Nutrition in partnership with UNICEF have boldly exceeded the one-week WABA initiative to a whole month campaign to enable them achieve a wider coverage. This is part of their broader initiative of encouraging an exclusive six-month breastfeeding agenda.

The theme for this year event - ‘Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems’ comes with a particular focus on environment and climate change.

 At a ceremony held recently at the Bundung Maternal and Child Health Hospital (BMCHH), Bakary Jallow, deputy executive director at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), described breastfeeding as natural, as it provides renewable food that is environmentally safe.

“It is produced and delivered without pollution, packaging or waste, while creating a sustainable solution that is good for the planet and its people."

Jallow also acknowledged that prioritising and supporting breastfeeding has the potential to reduce the growing climate impact of artificial infant feed supply chains, though he maintained that breastfeeding can be challenging when parents are not fully informed and supported.

“Every infant and child have the right to good nutrition according to the "Convention on the Rights of the Child".

Reflecting on this year’s theme, he emphasised that the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action has reported that the global breastfeeding rate at 6 months stood at 48% in 2023, close to World Health Assembly target of 50% by 2025.

To ensure positive growth and reaching the exclusive breastfeeding 2030 target of 70% at 6 months, he believes, calls for the participation of each actor.

At the event, Yankuba Saho, Nutrition specialist at UNICEF, said that the hospital has become a benchmark among 5 hospitals in the country in termsS of best practices and implementing the WHO’s ten steps to successful breastfeeding as revealed by the National Baby-Friedly Hospital Assessment report 2024.

Dr. Mamadi Cham, Chief Executive Officer of the BMCH, revealed that the hospital came out best performer out of the five assessed facilities with an achievement of 6 out of 10 set criteria and was awarded a certificate of commitment.