Murang'a County Commemorates World Breastfeeding Week with Healthcare Worker Training and Community Education

As part of the global celebration of World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), Murang'a County in Kenya has launched initiatives to promote breastfeeding among new mothers. The county has engaged healthcare workers, including nurses and nursing students, in Continuing Medical Education (CME) to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to support breastfeeding. This year's focus is on training healthcare providers, with a goal of ensuring every child is breastfed within the first hour of birth. Community sensitisation efforts are also underway, with nutrition officials training healthcare workers and educating women at Antenatal Clinics and Mother and Child Health Clinics. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are being empowered with key breastfeeding messages to disseminate at the community level.

Key Takeaways:

• 82 nurses and nursing students at the Murang'a County Referral Hospital were engaged in Continuing Medical Education (CME) to equip them with knowledge and skills to support breastfeeding.
• Nutrition officials are training healthcare workers and educating women at Antenatal Clinics and Mother and Child Health Clinics as part of community sensitisation efforts.
• Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are being empowered with key breastfeeding messages to disseminate at the community level.
• Mother-to-mother support groups are being encouraged, and breastfeeding tips and guidance are being shared on social media.
• Murang'a County has established lactation stations at Kirwara and Kigumo Level 4 Hospitals to provide safe and welcoming spaces for breastfeeding staff.
• 15 health facilities, both public and private, are actively implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and have completed self-assessments to ensure the provision of quality care.
• Health workers are being trained under the BFHI to promote early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.

Statistics:

• 82 nurses and nursing students were engaged in CME training.
• 15 health facilities are actively implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).
• Kirwara and Kigumo Level 4 Hospitals have established lactation stations.
• Murang'a County is empowering 15 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) with breastfeeding messages.

Sources:

• "Murang'a County marks World Breastfeeding Week". Kenya News Agency, 07 Aug 2025.
• World Breastfeeding Week 2025 celebrations