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.
Other prominent guests were
Dr Najma Afzal, MPA
Dr Nausheen Hamid, MPA
Dr Ajmal, CEO, Punjab Healthcare Commission
Dr Shabana Haider, Member Health, P&D Department
Mr Ali Jan Khan, Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department
Dr Ismat Tahira, Secretary Population Welfare Department
Dr Fakhar Imam, VC FJMU
Dr Rashid Zia, Principal AIMC,
Dr Nadeem Zaka, Additional Program Director PSPU
Dr Rubina Sohail, Head Obs and Gynae SIMS
Dr Taeed Butt, Pediatrician
Dr Farhat Naz, Gynecologist, General Hospital, Lahore
Dr Nasir, IRMNCH & Nutrition Program.
PSPU team that organized the event included Dr. Saira Khan and Ms. Abida Bashir.
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 Jan 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.
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.
