August 6, 2019 - On August 7, 2019, as part of World Breastfeeding Week, the Ministry of Health recognized Cleopatra White Polyclinic as a Baby Friendly Health Facility. This is the second urban health polyclinic being certified in Belize City. At the level of districts, all other public hospitals are already certified. This now commits Cleopatra White Polyclinic whose staff has been trained, to make all efforts to educate, inform and encourage all women and mothers who visit the facility to breastfeed their infants.
The latest figure on exclusive breastfeeding is 33.2%. Speakers at the short ceremony expressed the commitment to increase this figure.
During his keynote address, the Honorable Pablo Marin, Minister of Health said, “As you surely know exclusive breast feeding during the first 6 months is rather critical and helps to give the new babies the best possible start in life. It provides a single and golden opportunity to strengthen and bond the attachment between the mom and the infant.” He added, “Mothers are therefore encouraged to continue breastfeeding for up to two years, a critical period where breastfeeding is key to protect against common illnesses during their early years of life. The Ministry of Health is thus all supportive of exclusive breastfeeding.”
Breastfeeding is a priority for the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization and the Institute of Nutrition for Central America and the Dominican Republic.
During the ceremony, Nurse Elizabeth Enriquez explained the significance of why a golden bow was used to signify exclusive breastfeeding. She said breast milk is the gold standard milk - it is above all others. One side of the bow represent the baby, the other side, the mother and the knot represent the father. All, including family and community and especially fathers are required to ensure that exclusive breastfeeding works.
Breastfeeding mother Ezeani Favour shared her experience. She said it was difficult at the beginning, but she later learnt to appreciate it as she didn’t have to spend money, the baby was hardly sick, and she didn’t have to get up at night to sterilize feeding bottles. She said, “I just had to put down my shirt and that’s it”. She encouraged all mothers to give it a try and to enjoy the bonding with their babies. “It won’t be easy starting,” she said, “but let's give it a try. Let's give our babies a gift they will appreciate.”
Breastfeeding mother Miss Suzuanni Vellos, also shared her experience. She agreed it was difficult at first, and like most mothers, was lost and didn’t know what to do. At the Cleopatra White Polyclinic, she received training, guidance and support from everyone. She was able to discover the beautiful experience, feeling and enjoying the affection from her baby. She encouraged all mothers and soon to be mothers to breastfeed.
The event concluded with the presentation of awards to breastfeeding mothers and the unveiling of the certification plaque by the Minister of Health.
On Tuesday August 7, a community forum was held at the Gateway Youth Center promoting breastfeeding. Fathers and breastfeeding families of the neighborhood who attended expressed their positive experiences on breastfeeding. Fathers also provided personal testimonies on how they support their wives on breastfeeding.
Also on Wednesday August 8, the Ministry of Health with technical assistance of PAHO/WHO and INCAP formalized the technical group of the Ministry of Health which will have the responsibility of monitoring the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The first phase will be the monitoring within public health facilities.
