As per recent reports, it has been revealed that last September, a controversial and radical measure was rolled out by Minister of health of South Africa Aaron Motsoaledi.

He declared that HIV-infected mothers will no longer be provided with free formula milk for six-months, instead he asked the health facilities to urge the mothers to feed their infants’ breast milk only for at least six months. He suggested that during the initial six-months of infants’ life, it should be given just mothers’ milk and nothing else.

With a country that has the highest ratio of population affected by HIV, such a decision raised oppositions, controversies. The minister was termed as irresponsible, as it is the breast milk of the mother, which contains the virus and can infect even the infant, thus putting their lives at risk.

The minister was criticized for the decision. However, if there is opposition, then there are many to support even. Dr. Ben Gaunt stated that he supports the decision as breast milk is necessary for the infants during the initial six months.

Moreover, doctors from a remote area of South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province said, “We praise the minister’s action as brave and visionary and also it would save lives of many”.