The Ministry of Health, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the USAID-funded Community Health and Nutrition (CHN) Project, and the Royal Health Awareness Society, on Tuesday launched a national campaign to promote the nutritional health of expectant mothers, infants, and young children. The initiative, dubbed “Six Months Build A Life”, also aspires to refine family planning practices post-childbirth. The campaign is set to channel public awareness, foster positive attitudes, and encourage the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding. The launch event, marked by the presence of representatives from local and international NGOs, local partners, and community organizations, serves as the starting point for “this drive”. In its five-week journey, the campaign will touch the lives of pregnant women and new mothers, their partners, and the older generation, recognizing the crucial role they play in bolstering breastfeeding women. To ensure maximum outreach, the campaign ads will reverberate across local television and radio channels, social media platforms, and outdoor and indoor advertisement spaces. Dr. Raed Shboul, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health for Primary Health Care and Epidemiology, revealed in his speech at the campaign launch that the Ministry has included several projects related to women’s and children’s health in its strategy for the years 2023-2025. Some of the notable projects include monitoring maternal deaths and devising strategies to curtail them, early detection programs for breast and cervical cancer, smoking cessation clinics with a particular focus on women, and the introduction of women-friendly health centers. “Breastfeeding is pivotal to nutritional health practices that can save lives, bolster cognitive development in infants, and enhance their immunity against diseases,” stated Shaboul. He further emphasized the role of breastfeeding in curtailing the risk of malnutrition in early life stages and chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and allergies later on. Breastfeeding also holds potential in reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer among pre-menopausal mothers. Shaboul lauded the Community Health and Nutrition (CHN) Project for its substantial efforts in crafting an integrated program for breastfeeding counselors, and their diligence in preparing and launching this campaign. Bethany Haberer, Director of the Health and Population Office at USAID in Jordan, stated that the campaign is a pioneer of its kind in the country. “By raising awareness, the campaign will encourage friends and families to support new parents in making the best decision, which is the choice of exclusive breastfeeding,” she expressed. This campaign represents a responsive and proactive measure to improve the health outcomes of expectant mothers and children in Jordan, spotlighting the nation’s commitment to public health and sustainable future generations.
Source: Jordan News Agency