UNICEF signs partnership with South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology to improve maternal and newborn health and nutrition in South Asia

UNICEF signs partnership with South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology to improve maternal and newborn health and nutrition in South Asia 01 August 2022 UNICEF ROSA Kathmandu, 1 August 2022 – At the start of World Breastfeeding Week 2022, UNICEF and the South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SAFOG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to improve maternal and newborn health and nutrition in South Asia, in particular through protecting and promoting breastfeeding to save newborn lives.

The MOU recognizes newborn health as a critical agenda for South Asia, where 838,000 newborns die every year, and early breastfeeding as a key intervention to saving newborn lives, and ensuring healthy growth and optimal brain development. Currently, only 43% of children born in South Asia are breastfed within the first hour of birth.

"We could save one newborn life every minute in South Asia if breastfeeding is initiated within the first hour of birth," said George Laryea-Adjei, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia. “Breastmilk is a child’s first vaccine, first food and offers babies a robust line of defense against infection and malnutrition"

The partnership seeks to improve breastfeeding within the first hour of life, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding until two years. In South Asia, 39 % of babies are not exclusively breastfed in their first six months of life, and 22% do not receive the benefits of continued breastfeeding till two years of life, exposing them to risks such as diarrhea and life-threatening severe malnutrition

“Nurses, midwives, obstetricians, gynaecologists, and paediatricians play a critical role in supporting breastfeeding in their contact with mothers at the most critical times,” said Dr. Rohana Haththotuwa, President of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. “I urge health professionals in South Asia to step up lactation support to new mothers, particularly to adolescent mothers, those whose babies are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, and mothers who have delivered through caesarian section.”

UNICEF and SAFOG noted that breastfeeding is not only about mother and child, but a shared responsibility of family, skilled service providers, workplaces and society. Family-friendly policies, including paid maternity leave, should be supported in both formal and informal sectors to provide all mothers with time and space to breastfeed.

Further, the partners raised concerns about the widespread marketing of breastmilk substitutes, feeding bottles and teats. “Marketing of formula milk is increasing at a 15% annual growth rate a year in South Asia,” George Laryea-Adjei said. “Legal measures that prevent unethical and aggressive marketing practices that undermine breastfeeding need to be strongly enforced by governments.”

UNICEF and SAFOG marked the start of World Breastfeeding Week with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretariat, health professionals and partners in Kathmandu. At the event, Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, Secretary General of SAARC, urged governments in South Asia to prioritize breastfeeding, maternal nutrition and the newborn health agenda.

“Breastfeeding provides food security for infants and reduces inequalities in the long term. We must strengthen the capacity of support systems in order to achieve the global nutrition targets of 2025 ,” he urged