![Journalists and officials from Ministry of Health and UNICEF pose for group picture after capacity building training in Juba on Thursday, 25 July 2024. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/kkkkk.jpg?resize=1261%2C587&quality=89&ssl=1)
The one-day training aimed to enhance journalists’ capacity to promote breastfeeding for child survival, health, and overall well-being.
Speaking at the workshop’s opening in Juba, Rita Juan, Senior Nutrition Inspector and Breastfeeding Focal Person at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the media’s crucial role in disseminating accurate breastfeeding information to bridge the gap.
“Therefore, we have to all close the gap. The gap remains only 40% and it will be easy for us to close this gap. Let us celebrate our mothers in South Sudan,” Juan said.
“Let’s celebrate those who are breastfeeding and let’s encourage mothers to breastfeed. And let’s join hands together to close the gap. Let’s join hands together to help the Minister of Health and the partners to prevent malnutrition in the country.”
For her part, Jesca Wude Murye, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF South Sudan said the training will impact media professionals with skills and knowledge to report stories that raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding.
“So for me, that shows the passion that we have for our work, but also it shows the passion that we have to make sure that things change. You know, it’s just one topic, and you came,” Wude said.
She said the training will strengthen the capacity of media practitioners towards child- focused reporting, using an exclusive breastfeeding approach for enhanced infant nutrition.
“It’s just one topic, but it changes the lives of people. So I’m really happy that you came, and we pray that every time we call for this kind of event, people display the different kinds of foods that we have in South Sudan.”
This year theme is” Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for all”
Breastmilk is a nutritional powerhouse for infants, providing all the essential nutrients they need in the first six months of life to two years.
It acts as a powerful immunization against life-threatening diseases, preventing diarrhea and respiratory infection.
Moreover, breastfeeding can reduce infection-related mortality among infants.
