Zanzibar Struggles with Low Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates, Health Officials Raise Alarm
Unguja – Recent health statistics reveal a critical challenge in Zanzibar’s maternal and child health sector, with only 41 percent of infants receiving exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
The Ministry of Health’s 2022 data highlights a significant gap in early infant nutrition, showing that just 56 percent of newborns are breastfed within the first hour of birth, falling short of the 2029 national target of 70 percent.
Speaking at the World Breastfeeding Week launch, the Deputy Minister of Health warned of severe long-term health risks associated with premature introduction of alternative foods. “A child introduced to other foods before six months is more likely to suffer from chronic non-communicable diseases,” the official emphasized.
Health experts underscore the critical importance of breastfeeding, noting multiple benefits including:
– Enhanced child immunity
– Protection against diarrhoea and respiratory infections
– Improved cognitive and physical development
– Reduced cancer risks for mothers
– Natural birth spacing
The health official also highlighted a concerning nutritional trend, urging mothers to return to traditional dietary practices. “Good nutrition doesn’t require wealth. Eat well, raise healthy children,” he stressed, pointing out that modern dietary habits are replacing nutritionally rich traditional foods.
Institutional support emerged as a key recommendation, with health managers calling for workplace reforms that provide breastfeeding-friendly environments. This includes allocating dedicated time and spaces for mothers to breastfeed or express milk during working hours.
Despite current challenges, health authorities remain optimistic about improving breastfeeding rates through increased awareness, community engagement, and targeted nutritional interventions.
