UNICEF report highlights Turkmenistan’s achievements in breastfeeding
Turkmenistan has one of the highest rates in breastfeeding, both in the post-Soviet space and in the group of middle-income countries. It was announced in the new UNICEF report “Breastfeeding: a Mother's Gift, for every child”. 98.5% of babies born in Turkmenistan and children under two are breastfed. According to the report, in Turkmenistan, the promotion of baby-friendly hospitals, which comply with the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, has been instrumental in increasing rates of breastfeeding. Almost 90 per cent of women in Turkmenistan, give birth in hospitals certified as baby-friendly. The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, launched by WHO and UNICEF, helps motivate facilities providing maternity and newborn services worldwide to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. The UN Children's Fund estimates that 7.6 million children, or 5% of the world's children, do not have access to breast milk. At the same time, the data paradoxically differ depending on the country's economic development. For example, in low-and middle-income countries, 1 in 25 babies are never breastfed, while in high-income countries 1 in 5 babies does not taste the mother's milk. UNICEF once again draw attention to the fact that breastfeeding and breast milk is recognized as one of the most effective methods of promoting health for mother and child and prevention of many diseases. An increase in breastfeeding rates could save the lives of 820,000 children under the age of five. Shaheen Nilofer, the head of the UNICEF mission in Ashgabat, noted in a recent interview with the official media, that Turkmenistan's success in promoting breastfeeding, maternal and child health, and ensuring the early development of the baby is highly appreciated, given that these areas meet the key regulations of the Convention on the rights of the child. The institute of mother and family in Turkmenistan is always in the focus of social strategy. In order to ensure the healthy development of the child, women enjoy the right to maternity leave until the child reaches the age of three. From the first days of the baby's birth, family doctors monitor their health and provide comprehensive advice, including on breastfeeding practice. The law of Turkmenistan “On promotion and support of breastfeeding” adopted in 2016 is the guidance in practical work in this area. It contains a number of provisions relating to educational activities on nutrition of children, trade and labeling of baby food, the rights and duties of medical institutions. Other policy documents include the National Strategy and Work Plan for protecting the health of mothers, newborns, children and adolescents in Turkmenistan for 2016-2019, the Program “Pediatrics of development and early intervention for 2016-2020”.
