27 Journalists Trained on Breastfeeding Reporting

Juba, South Sudan – 26th July 2024 - Ministry of Health and its partners are taking a significant step towards improving breastfeeding practices in South Sudan

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has successfully trained 27 journalists on accurate health reporting, with a particular focus on breastfeeding. This initiative comes ahead of World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from 1st to 7th August.

The training aimed to equip journalists from various media houses across the country with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively document, disseminate, and promote accurate information on breastfeeding during the upcoming awareness campaign. Participants were provided with essential information on breastfeeding terminologies, key facts, and the current state of breastfeeding practices in South Sudan.

Rita Juan Demetry, Senior Nutrition Inspector and Breastfeeding Focal Person at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the crucial role of the media in educating the public about the benefits of breastfeeding. She highlighted the alarmingly low breastfeeding rate in South Sudan, currently standing at 60%, and stressed the need to increase awareness among mothers to address the malnutrition crisis affecting the country.

The training focused on empowering journalists to effectively communicate the importance of breastfeeding and to encourage mothers to prioritize this essential practice. By closing the gap in breastfeeding rates, the Ministry of Health aims to significantly reduce malnutrition among South Sudanese communities.

World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually since 1992, is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness and promoting breastfeeding. This year's theme, "Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All," underscores the collective responsibility to provide comprehensive support to breastfeeding mothers.

Through this training, the Ministry of Health and its partners are taking a significant step towards improving breastfeeding practices in South Sudan and ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of children.

Source: Eye Radio, Juba South Sudan