Health Centres in Camagüey Awarded for Encouraging Exclusive Breastfeeding

Health Centres in Camagüey Awarded for Encouraging Exclusive Breastfeeding Camagüey, Cuba, Aug 1. – For their well performance in promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first few months of life, 350 family doctor’s offices in Camagüey province will be declared “Amigos de la Madre, el Niño y la Niña” (Friends of the Mother and Child).

Other 10 maternity waiting homes in this Cuban province will be granted the above-mentioned category as part of the activities marking the World Breastfeeding Week which is being held from today until August 7.

The recognition is an incentive to these primary health care centres in the province, which kept a 100 percent rate of babies under 4 month of age being fed uniquely with human breast milk, and a 90 percent rate of those under 6 month of age.

Commenting on the advantages of breastfeeding, mother and paediatrician Nereyda Ponce told press that human breast milk contains the essential nutrients and antibodies that a newborn babies need until they turn two, and the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests to feed them exclusively with it during their first six months of life.

Dr. Ponce also said that this food protects the child from illnesses such as acute respiratory and kidney infections, otitis media, asthma, diarrheas, allergies, diabetes and lymphoma. It reduces malnutrition hazards and contributes to healthy and strong teeth formation.

In the case of mothers, breastfeeding favours the uterus involution after delivery and protects against ovarian and breast cancers. Besides, it helps to strengthen the emotional and psychological bonds between the mother and the baby.

Promoted by an international alliance the World Breastfeeding Week has been observed by 170 countries since 1992. (Radio Cadena Agramonte).