New breastfeeding corners boost infant health in Uganda

In Uganda’s Adjumani and Kiryandongo districts, new “breastfeeding corners” at health facilities are saving newborn lives and improving child nutrition. These dedicated spaces allow health workers to support mothers in initiating immediate and exclusive breastfeeding, an intervention proven to prevent malnutrition. Baby-friendly practices are now being implemented across 22 health facilities in the two districts. Experts say early breastfeeding is critical to infant survival. Uganda’s exclusive breastfeeding rate has risen from 66% in 2016 to 94% in 2022. Authorities are now working to increase coverage of baby-friendly health facilities to 50% by the end of the year. Here’s more.