NEW: Infant formula feeding benefits hundreds

11 May, 2022 - 15:05 0 Views
NEW: Infant formula feeding benefits hundreds Infants who lose their mothers during birth are receiving formula feed as well as hampers containing first foods after they are weaned off

The ManicaPost

 

Post Reporter

 

WHILE the number of vulnerable infants requiring assistance with formula feed continues to grow, a local organisation providing them with support says efforts are being stepped up to ensure that their requisite needs are met.

 

Windows of Hope is assisting infants who lose their mothers during birth with formula feed as well as hampers containing first foods after they are weaned off.

 

The organisation’s programmes manager Mr Darlington Chikamhi said over 400 hundred infants have benefited since last year to date.

 

He added that since its inception in 2004, the formula feed initiative under their vulnerable children intervention programme had assisted over 1 800 infants whose mothers are mentally challenged and others who are unable to breastfeed for one reason or the other.

 

“The majority of infants we are assisting are referred from Victoria Chitepo Provincal Hospital and we also receive some from the Department of Social Welfare and other district hospitals like Sakubva. The beneficiaries are drawn from across the entire Manicaland Province.

 

“While we should be assisting the infants for a period of up to 12 months from birth, sometimes they get weaned off at six months and are introduced to first and soft foods like porridge,” said Mr Chikamhi.

 

He added that they are also assisting infants facing similar challenges in rural areas by providing goat milk through capacitating their families with goats for milk production.

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