national reproductive health strategy - Ministry of Public Health ...

National Reproductive Health Strategy (2012–2016)The three primary breastfeeding goals are to put babies to breast immediately after birth (toavoid wasting colostrum), breastfeed exclusively for the first six months (no additional foodsor liquids during this time) and continue breastfeeding until two years of age. RHD willsupport the Nutrition Department by: Providing women with one-on-one support at critical points before delivery,immediately after delivery and in the postnatal period;Establishing a standard of ensuring seven contacts from the antenatal period untilthe baby is two months old; andEnsuring that providers who attend deliveries in facilities or in the community aretrained in breastfeeding support.6.3.2. Support the promotion of micronutrient supplementation In collaboration with implementing partners, support the availability of requiredmicronutrient supplements to women during and following pregnancyDevelop and disseminate nutrition education messages regarding micronutrientintake and utilization during and following pregnancy6.3.3. Support the Nutrition Department in its advocacy role Advocate for laws based on the International Code of Marketing of Breast MilkSubstitutes (adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981) to prevent thecommercial promotion of breast milk substitutes, bottles and teats. Legislation mustbe enforced and monitored.Advocate for maternity legislation allowing working women to breastfeed.Legislation should be aimed at compliance with the International LabourOrganization’s recommendation for 14 weeks of maternity leave, with incomereplacement of salary and special concessions for breastfeeding.Advocate for the establishment of breastfeeding rooms in institutions to ensure thatemployed mothers can breastfeed their children. The RHD will set an example byproviding breastfeeding rooms in the buildings under its control.6.4: Maternal Mental and Reproductive HealthA national survey conducted in Afghanistan in the first year after the U.S.-led invasion foundhigh levels of symptoms of depression (59.1% of men and 73.4% of women), anxiety (59.3%of men and 83.5% of women) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (32.1% of men and48.3% of women) (Lopez 2004). An in-depth survey conducted in Nangarhar province in2003 confirmed the high rate of depression and anxiety, in particular among women, whohad elevated scores for depression (58.4% of women), anxiety symptoms (78.2% of women),and PTSD symptoms (31.9% of women) (Scholte 2004). A study conducted among widows inKabul reported depression symptoms in 78.6% of participants (CARE International 2004).The Mental Health Department of the MoPH assumes overall regulatory, technical andcoordination oversight of Afghanistan’s mental health and psychosocial support services.The BPHS already includes mental health as one of its priority components. The reproductivehealth strategy herein aims to prevent and manage the common maternal mental healthdisorders by integrating cost-effective interventions in pre- and postnatal health andPage 26