The
Ministry of Labor, War Invalid and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has proposed that
maternity leave be raised to 6 months from the current 4 months to help enhance
the long-term health of the newborns.
Health experts say a longer maternity leave
will give mothers more time to breastfeed and take care of their babies
At a meeting held by the ministry yesterday to
hear opinions and feedback about the proposal, most of the delegates said they
supported the expansion, considering it as a solution to improving the health
and well-being of Vietnamese children.
Currently, about 32 percent of the 7 million
children under five in Vietnam suffer stunted growth, ranked 13th in the world,
according to the Health Ministry.
Stunted growth results from malnutrition
suffered by the fetus and the baby in its first 2 months of life, the ministry
said.
Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six
months would help boost growth and reduce mortality rate among children below
five by 13 percent. But only 10 percent of babies in Vietnam are exclusively
breastfed in the first six months after birth, the ministry said, warning this
puts them at a greater risk for diseases.
Many health experts blame the situation partly
on the short maternity leave – just 4 months, and said an expansion will give
mothers more time to breastfeed and take care of their babies.
The MOLISA expects to submit the proposal to
the Government for approval in October this year.
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