Men from the Pokot community in Baringo County have been challenged to stop shying off from offering support to their breastfeeding spouses.
Baringo County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Health Dr Richard Rotich expressed concern over a cultural trend that allows men from the pastoral Pokot community to keep off from women during the entire period of lactation, a move that he says affects a child’s growth negatively.
He noted that men need to be part and parcel of their wives’ journey especially from pregnancy to lactation period adding that if all men honour this, the requirement for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months will easily be achieved.
“It is important to ensure that lactating mothers are supported closely by their men to create a stress free environment during this important period in child’s early development whereby both the mother and the baby need good nutrition,” the CEC reiterated.
Dr Rotich made the remarks at Chepturu shopping centre in Kolowa division while officiating the World Breastfeeding Week whose theme was Boosting Resilience of Vulnerable Rural Households.
The Baringo county health boss revealed that Pokot community has been lagging behind since independence in terms of breastfeeding, a trend which he noted shall be reversed through sensitisation by Community Health Volunteers who will start getting monthly stipends from September this year.
Dr Rotich stated that his department was committed to empowering communities to raise healthy children through exclusive breastfeeding but added that challenges of insecurity resulting from cattle rustling and banditry was the major impediment.
“Tiaty has challenges of insecurity and government employees’ fear working in the region. If you feed your children well, they will have good health and that will make them prosper in academics and get trained as professionals in various fields who shall be posted to fill the vacant positions at the affected public institutions,” said Dr Rotich.
Tiaty West ACC Mr Paul Mogaya on his part informed the locals to shun practicing retrogressive culture which has impacted negatively on the health status of not only children but also the elderly.
During the event marked by rich traditional Pokot songs, dances and drama, Mr Samali Sammy aged 47 from Ngoron area within Tiaty West was crowned the male breastfeeding champion and emphasized the need for the county government to actualize plans to have monthly remuneration for Community Health Volunteers saying the promise has been long overdue.
By Jebichii Chepkwony and Vincent Miningwo
