By Fletcher Chiponda

Nkhotakota, September 1, Mana: Men in Nkhotakota have been challenged to take a leading role in encouraging women to breast feed their children until the rightful age.

Speaking on behalf of the District Commissioner for Nkhotakota, Chief Agriculture Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CAENRO), Siliro Nkhukuzalira Magomero, said the week should be a reminder that a persons’ good health starts at breastfeeding stage.

He was speaking during the launch of a world breast feeding week which took place at Abuja ground in Mgombe Village, Traditional Authority Kalimanjira in the district,

Magomero said, “Life starts at birth because it determines the future of the new born, so once a child is born it is very important to breast feed them because in the breast milk there are all essential nutrients that help in building the immunity of the child which helps in fighting against various diseases.”

He challenged fellow men that there is need to take part and contribute in these breastfeeding exercises such as encouraging women to breast feed their children frequently.

Concurring with Magomero, Nkhotakota District Hospital Nutrition Officer, Lissa Nthiliro said some men leave the duty of taking care of a child to women alone saying this is as good as abandoning their responsibility to escorting their wives and babies to hospitals.

She said failure to take part contribute to the malnourishment of many children in the district. hence having high number of malnutrition cases.

This year’s World breast feeding week is being commemorated under the theme ‘Enabling Breastfeeding, making a difference for working parents.’