South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Ministry of Health has issued a strong warning against the promotion and use of breast milk substitutes, urging all mothers to initiate breastfeeding immediately after birth as part of ongoing efforts to improve child nutrition across the country.
Speaking at the launch of Breastfeeding Week on Tuesday, the Senior Nutrition Inspector at the Ministry of Health, Rita Juan Demetry, emphasised that breastfeeding from the moment of birth is critical for newborn survival and development.
“We are calling on all mothers to give breast milk to their babies immediately after birth,” said Rita. “This is a life-saving measure, and no substitute can match the benefits of breast milk.”
Rita revealed that the Ministry, in collaboration with UN agencies, the Food and Drug Control Authority, and other health stakeholders, is currently working on establishing a legal framework to regulate the use and sale of breast milk substitutes in South Sudan.
“We know there are many breast milk substitutes in the country,” she said. “While we are in the process of developing a legal framework to regulate their use, we must take responsibility in our public health facilities to discourage their distribution.”
Rita noted that until such a legal mechanism is in place, the Ministry is discouraging any form of advertisement or promotion of breast milk substitutes.
“If you are selling formula or substitutes, do not advertise it,” she warned. “The Ministry of Health is stating clearly: no advertising of breast milk substitutes in South Sudan.”
Rita also highlighted ongoing awareness efforts in hospitals to promote breastfeeding among new mothers.
“Just yesterday, we visited health facilities to educate mothers on the importance of breastfeeding,” she said. “We’ve made great progress. Many now understand why breast milk is essential for the first six months of a baby’s life.”
Rita reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that children across South Sudan receive optimal nutrition, starting with exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months of age, in line with global health recommendations.
In an exclusive interview, Mary Kadi, a mother of a one-month-old child, shared her personal experience after being advised by a doctor to give her baby formula milk shortly after birth.
“I was told by the doctor to buy substitute milk for my child,” Kadi said. “But after I introduced it, she kept falling sick. I had no choice but to stop using it.”
According to Mary, the early use of milk substitutes contributed to her baby’s recurring illness, urging health professionals to reconsider such recommendations.
Mary also appealed to mothers across the country to prioritise breastfeeding, especially during the critical early months of a child’s life. “I call on all breastfeeding mothers not to introduce substitute milk unless the child is at least six months old,” she said.
According to the Ministry of Health, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months rose from 45% in 2010 to 73% in 2024. However, three out of every ten infants still miss out on the vital health and developmental benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
