Questions around exclusive breastfeeding plan
JournAIDS
26 August 2011
The Mail & Guardian reports that doctors and HIV-positive mothers have voiced the opinion that the government’s new exclusive breastfeeding plan is good on paper but may not work in the real world.
The M&G article interviewed a doctor working with HIV-positive mothers in Orange Farm, who questioned the government’s plan to stop handing out free baby formula to HIV-positive mothers.
The doctor argued that for some it would simply be impractical. “Many of the mothers I see are domestic workers…they’re not allowed to take their babies to work…How on earth will they be able to only breastfeed?” she asked.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s response to this issue was that he would encourage colleagues to pave the way for establishing crèches and breastfeeding rooms in workplaces.
This week Motsoaledi announced that South Africa would adopt a breastfeeding only policy in order to improve infant survival.
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