‘Lack of breastfeeding causing stunted growth

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has stressed that breastfeeding is of paramount importance for the health of infants.

“A lack of breastfeeding can result in stunted growth in children and so the health department is taking steps to encourage this feeding and nursing of infants.”

She expressed these views during the inauguration of Global Breastfeeding Week 2020 for Punjab at the Planning and Development (P&D) Department on Wednesday.

Population Welfare Secretary Ali Bahadur Qazi, Services Institute of Medical Sciences Principal Mehmud Ayaz, Institute of Public Health Dean Dr Zarfishan Tahir, P&D Executive Director (Health) Dr Sohail Saqlain, WHO representative Dr Yahya Gulzar and senior officials from other departments concerned were present on the occasion.

The P&D executive director highlighted, “We are facilitating mothers at their workplaces and offices. For a healthy life of a person, breast milk is extremely important.”

The health minister further said, “If an infant is not fed enough breast milk, it causes iron deficiencies among mothers.

There has to be regular counseling of mothers to encouraging breastfeeding as it also boosts the immunity of children. The first two years of a baby’s life are crucial for the body’s development.”

She elaborated that Punjab was already battling the coronavirus pandemic with strenuous efforts. “Punjab has hired 30,000 doctors on merit and efforts are on to provide all out facilities for patients.”