Organized by PSPU in collaboration with UNICEF & Jang Group
Venue: Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore
Breastfeeding Rules Dissemination Meeting organized by PSPU with the support of UNICEF and collaboration of Jang Forum. The meeting was chaired by Minister Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Mr. Khawaja Imran Nazir and Minister Population Welfare Department, Madam Zakia Shahnawaz.
To promote breastfeeding practices, Protection of Breastfeeding and Young Child Feeding Act 2012 was developed. As a follow up, The Punjab Infant Feeding Board was notified on January 8th 2014 by Health Department, Government of Punjab. Draft Breastfeeding Rules were prepared by recommendations of the board. The Breastfeeding Rules have finally been notified and this meeting was organized to disseminate the rules, to look for a way forward for future implementation and advocacy for promoting early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. Click to view event pictures
It was highlighted in this meeting that Breastfeeding helps prevent infections in babies and is easily digestable. It promotes the cognitive development of babies, prevents malnutrition and diseases and can help decrease IMR. It ensures maternal child bonding, is beneficial for mothers as it decreases risk of breast cancer and is a method of family planning. Unfortunately breastfeeding practices are decreasing and bottle feeding is increasing in the province and we need to make all possible efforts to reverse this trend.