By Fazal Khaliq
MINGORA: Civil society organizations and district health department joined hands to promote the practice of breastfeeding in Swat valley by undertaking a month long activities.
An orientation and awareness session here on Friday was organized by LASOONA in collaboration with the district health department and UNICEF. The session was attended by lady health workers, lady health supervisors, health staff and civil society organizations
Describing the objectives of celebrating the breastfeeding month, LASOONA coordinator gender, capacity building and communication Mehnaz Khan said that the theme of this year’s breastfeeding month was “Breastfeeding, a key to sustainable development”. “The month of August is being celebrated to create awareness in people about the importance of breastfeeding and its benefits to children. This is our collective responsibility to help aware every mother in the area about the importance of breastfeeding,” she said.
She added that different awareness raising activities would be conducted in Swat, Shangla and Kohistan districts.
Assistant District Coordinator National Program for LHWs Nasrin Saba highlighted the importance breastfeeding and said that breastfeeding was really essential for the wellbeing of every child. “We know breastfeeding helps children survive and thrive. It enables infants to withstand infections by providing critical nutrients for early development of brain and building body,” she said.
Health experts said that studies showed that those infants who received breastfeeding were found sharper and more intelligent compared to those non-breastfed children.
The participants shared that globally only 38% of children are exclusively breastfed till the recommended age of six months. However breastfeeding rates have improved in all regions of the world the progress in Pakistan is slower than before.
According to Pakistan Demographic Health Survey 2012-13, Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Pakistan remained 38% i.e. static over the last six years.
District Health Officer Dr Said Ali Khan told Dawn that the month-long campaign to convey the message of the importance of breastfeeding to the ears of every mother in Swat. “All the lady health workers and lady health supervisors along with paramedical staff have been oriented to disseminate the message of breastfeeding to every mother. In this regard, not only door to door visits will be paid but also various other activities will be conducted throughout the month of August,” he said.
Earlier, walks were also organized in Mingora, Shangla and Kohistan to raise awareness among general public regarding the importance of breastfeeding, participated by local body representatives, officials from health department, social welfare and general public. Also banners and placards inscribed with slogans of the importance of breastfeeding were displayed at the entry and exit points.
