FIRST LADY LAUNCHES THE KAKAMEGA COUNTY BREASTFEEDING WEEK

Kakamega County First Lady H.E Prof. Janet Kassily Barasa has urged mother’s to breastfeed their children exclusively for six months. She made the remarks on Friday during the official launch of this year’s World breastfeeding week, Kakamega County Chapter at Golf hotel, Kakamega.

Prof. Kassily said the six months exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding for up to two years of age or beyond is not only associated with reduction of maternal disease and protection but also reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer as well as diabetes among other complications.

She added that babies should be breastfed as often as they want and advised on the need for providing lactation rooms at workplaces to ensure mothers continue attending to their babies uninterrupted during working hours.

The First Lady, who is also the County Nutrition Champion further pledged her commitment to champion for the course and called for multi-sectoral and multi-actor partnerships to engage in improving the working conditions and support for breastfeeding mothers.

The theme of the event was; “Supporting the Working Breastfeeding Mother.”.

Present at the event were CECM for Health Services Dr Benard Wesonga, Chief Officers; Hon. George Mukodo (Public Health) Dr. David Alila (Medical Services), Directors led by County Director of Medical Services Dr. Steve Wandei, Partners and Officers from both levels of Government among others.