Doctors vow to boost breastfeeding rates


IV report

KARACHI: The Pakistan Paediatrics Association (PPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting breastfeeding, citing its numerous benefits for infants and mothers. At a press conference on January 25, PPA leaders emphasised the need for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, highlighting the alarming 48.4% rate in Pakistan, which falls short of the World Health Assembly's 70% target by 2030.

PPA President Prof Mahmood Sadiq stressed that breastfeeding is crucial for saving lives, improving health, and reducing infant mortality rates. He condemned the aggressive marketing of formula milk, emphasising that Sindh laws prohibit the use of the term "formula milk" and instead require companies to label it as "artificial formula."

Other speakers, including PPA Secretary General Prof Dr Mohsina Noor Ibrahim, Former PPA President Dr Khalid Shahfi, PPA (Sindh) President Prof Waseem Jamalvi, Dr Hyat Bozdar and Dr Saadullah Chachar echoed Prof Sadiq's sentiments. They highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding, including protection against diseases, promotion of healthy growth, and support for maternal health.

PPA Secretary General Prof Dr Mohsina Noor Ibrahim said, "Breastfeeding is equally good for the newborns and their mothers. Mother's milk has vital benefits for children and saves them from diseases."

Former PPA President Dr Khalid Shahfi stated that the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Young Child Nutrition Act, 2023, is a definitive and helpful law for promoting breastfeeding and infant nutrition. "Now, even doctors will have to come up with strong reasons behind their prescription or recommendation for artificial or formula milk, while sale outlets are required to ask for a doctor's prescription from those demanding mother milk substitutes," he added.

PPA (Sindh) President Prof Waseem Jamalvi emphasised the need for promoting breastfeeding across the country. "This way, we will be saving thousands of children from diarrheal diseases, pneumonia, and allergies," he said, expressing concern over the alarming number of companies selling formula milk products in Pakistan.

The PPA leaders urged the government to take concrete steps to promote breastfeeding, regulate the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, and ensure the implementation of the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Young Child Nutrition Act, 2023.

The Sindh law was cited as a positive step towards promoting breastfeeding and regulating the marketing of breast-milk substitutes. The PPA expected that similar laws will be enacted in other provinces and at the national level soon.

The association hopes to work with governments, healthcare professionals, and communities to promote exclusive breastfeeding and improve infant health outcomes in Pakistan.

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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