Steps being taken to ensure mother, child health: minister

LAHORE: Caretaker Provincial Health Minister Dr Javed Akram participated as a special guest in the seminar organised in connection with the World Breastfeeding Week at the University of Child Health Sciences.

University of Child Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Sadiq, Prof Sajid Maqbool, MD Prof Dr Tipu Sultan, Dr Khalil Ahmed, and students also participated in the seminar.

Chief of Nutrition UNICEF Pakistan Dr Antena Minhas Girma, Chief Field Officer UNICEF Punjab Dr Wilbrod and Dr Uzmi Khurram Bukhari participated. University of Child Health Sciences VC Prof Dr Masood Sadiq expressed his views regarding Breastfeeding Week.

Caretaker Health Minister Dr Javed Akram said that we should not waste our limited resources. Day care centres should be established in every institution for the convenience of women. In this regard, a meeting was held with UNICEF regarding breastfeeding. Basic steps are being taken to ensure the health of mother and child in Punjab. A national level awareness campaign should be conducted regarding breastfeeding. We will convince the Cabinet to legislate on breastfeeding.

Dr Javed Akram said that Allah has placed great nutrition and strength in mother’s milk. A newborn should be started on breast milk immediately after birth. Child should be exclusively breastfed until the age of six months.