The province of Manica, in the center of the country, recorded the deaths of at least 16 children under the age of 15 in the first half of this year, victims of severe acute malnutrition.

According to the health authorities, the figure represents a reduction of 19 cases compared to the same period in 2022.

These figures were released on Tuesday in the city of Chimoio, during the launch of International Breastfeeding Week, which this year is being celebrated under the slogan "Enabling breastfeeding: making a difference for working countries".

In the same period, the health authorities diagnosed 2,789 children suffering from acute malnutrition, compared to 3,819 last year, which corresponds to a drop of 27 percent.

The districts of Báruè, Chimoio, Mossurize and Gôndola have the highest number of cases of severe acute malnutrition in children under 15 years of age.

To mark the anniversary, various activities will be held during the week to raise awareness of the importance of exclusive breast milk for children up to six months of age.

The wife of the Secretary of State in Manica province, Celsa Dick, said that the week also serves to reflect on the participation of women and society in general in the care that must be observed so that children grow up healthy.

"International Breastfeeding Week is promoted around the world with the aim of encouraging breastfeeding as the best source of infant nutrition for good child health. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund indicate that around six million children are being saved every year due to exclusive breastfeeding," said Celsa Dick, for whom this practice can prevent deaths from acute malnutrition.

"Breastfeeding can prevent 13% of deaths in children under five and has been proven to reduce the risk of acute and chronic malnutrition worldwide. In the world, only 40% of children are exclusively breastfed for up to six months."

Quoted by AIM, the Secretary of State's wife recalled that the global target by 2030 is for at least 70% of infants to be breastfed until after six months.

"For this reason, the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week should serve to invite all stakeholders to join in actions to strengthen families in maintaining a favorable environment for breastfeeding in post-pandemic working life," added Celsa Dick.