Health officials made major promises at Katima Mulilo's World Health Day gathering! Minister Esperance Luvindao pledged to slash mother deaths during childbirth dramatically before 2030. She pointed out shocking numbers - 215 moms die per 100,000 births nationally. Infant deaths also hit scary levels at 19 per 1,000 births, according to WHO's 2020 stats. The government wants these numbers down to under 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 births, with baby deaths below 12 per 1,000.
Ministry officials worry about breastfeeding rates falling across Namibia. Working mothers struggle with job demands, teenage moms need to resume school, baby food ads tempt parents, and many babies don't eat right. Recent surveys found only 49% of babies exclusively breastfed, just 78% started solids at the proper age, and merely 36% continued breast milk until age two. These poor feeding practices cause stunted growth problems that affect kids later in life.
WHO representative Richard Banda begged officials to pump cash into better maternal healthcare systems. He called for more medical supplies, trained staff, community education programs, plus high-tech solutions. Banda stressed that healthcare must reach every woman regardless of money or location.
Ministry officials worry about breastfeeding rates falling across Namibia. Working mothers struggle with job demands, teenage moms need to resume school, baby food ads tempt parents, and many babies don't eat right. Recent surveys found only 49% of babies exclusively breastfed, just 78% started solids at the proper age, and merely 36% continued breast milk until age two. These poor feeding practices cause stunted growth problems that affect kids later in life.
WHO representative Richard Banda begged officials to pump cash into better maternal healthcare systems. He called for more medical supplies, trained staff, community education programs, plus high-tech solutions. Banda stressed that healthcare must reach every woman regardless of money or location.
