Balochistan: Breastfeeding law to be implemented

In Balochistan, 39.6% newborns are underweight, while 52% children below age of 5 are malnourished.

QUETTA: Balochistan Health Department has said it will ensure the implementation of the recently enacted law The Protection of Breast-Feeding and Nutrition for Infants and Young Children Act 2013. Addressing a news conference at Quetta Press Club the Director General Health Department Naseer Dashti provided a copy of the bill and said his department will soon launch a campaign spreading awareness about the importance of breastfeeding. In Balochistan, 39.6% newborns are underweight, while 52% children below the age of five are malnourished and facing health problems. The reason behind this alarming state of health is lack of breastfeeding to the children. The bill aims to regulate the marketing and promotion of breast milk substitutes and feeding bottles to promote breastfeeding. Naseer Dashti said Infant Feeding Board will receive reports of violations.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2014.