Breastfeeding gap threatens child survival

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has expressed concern over the low number of Namibian mothers who exclusively breastfeed their babies.

This was revealed in a speech read on behalf of health minister Esperance Luvindao at the launch of the National Strategy for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (2025/2026 – 2029/2030) in Windhoek yesterday.

Luvindao said only 49% of babies in Namibia are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.

“Exclusive breastfeeding is one of the most effective interventions to ensure child survival.

Currently, our exclusive breastfeeding rate stands at 49%. This means only half of our babies breastfeed from birth until the age of six months.

This is not good enough, because we want all our children to grow and develop and contribute to the development of Namibia,” she said.

She added that stunting in Namibia, when children under the age of five are too short for their age, stands at 24%.

“Stunting can have irreversible consequences, impacting individuals and societies for generations and is caused by a combination of factors including inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation, lack of access to healthcare, and inadequate care practices,” Luvindao said.

According to the minister, addressing stunting requires a multi-sectoral approach, focusing on improving nutrition, health, and the overall environment for children and their families.

She stressed that breastfeeding remains one of the most effective and affordable interventions to ensure a child’s survival and reduce risks of malnutrition and disease.

The minister said the new strategy will prioritise early and exclusive breastfeeding, quality maternal and newborn care, and stronger community awareness to close health gaps and end preventable child deaths.

She further called on parents, health workers, and communities to support breastfeeding mothers, adding that Namibia must move forward with urgency and hope to ensure that every child has the best start to life.

Luvindao said exclusive breastfeeding is a strategic priority under the new Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent Health and Nutrition Strategy.

She said the policy places a special emphasis on strengthening antenatal, delivery and postpartum care, with a focus on promoting breastfeeding from the first hour after birth.

“Promoting early and exclusive breastfeeding is not just a health intervention; it is a national development priority.

Healthy babies become healthy children and productive adults, which strengthens communities and the economy,” she said.

She added that the strategy calls for stronger community engagement and health education to change attitudes and practices that discourage breastfeeding, especially in workplaces and public spaces.

Speaking at the event, United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) country representative Samuel Ocran has warned that Namibia may only reach its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agenda targets by 2038 if urgent action is not taken to accelerate the reduction of maternal and neonatal deaths.

He stressed that while progress has been made in reducing under-five and maternal mortality, the pace of decline in neonatal and stillbirth rates remains too slow, and quality of care must be at the centre of efforts.

World Health Organisation health systems adviser Juliet Nabyonga says the new strategy represents a renewed commitment to ensure “every woman, every newborn and every adolescent in Namibia not only survives but thrives.”

She adds that behind every statistic is a life, a family and a story that deserves a better ending.

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