Breast feeding develops resistance against diseases in children

Lahore: Director General Health Punjab Dr. Tanvir Hussain said that breast feeding develops resistance against diseases in children which reduces infant mortality rate.

He said this while addressing a function held in connection with global breast feeding week at Al-Hamra Hall arranged by Health Department Punjab here today. Coordinator Lady Health Workers Programme Punjab Dr. Akhtar Rasheed Malik, Dr. Rana Mushtaq of UNICEF, Dr Jamil of UNFPA, officers of health department and a large number of lady health workers, lady health supervisors and other staff were also present on the occasion.

Dr. Tanvir Hussain further said that chances of breast cancer reduce among such mothers as breast feed their babies while the birth gap also increases naturally which leaves a positive impact on the health of both mother and child. He said that according to the teachings of Holy Quran, feeding of children for two years is obligatory for the Muslim mothers.

Addressing the function, Coordinator Lady Health Workers Programme Punjab Dr. Akhtar Rasheed Malik said that the role of lady health workers is important for creating awareness about principles of hygiene among women. He told that government has regularized the services of more than 47000 lady health workers, lady health supervisors and other staff. He said that Punjab is the only province where salaries are being paid to lady health workers regularly.

Dr. Rasheed Malik told that 466 centers are being set up at district and tehsil levels during current year for the treatment of children suffering from malnutrition and government will spend Rs. nine billion on this programme during three years. He said that special food will be given to the children suffering from malnutrition at these centers. Prof. Nosheen Riaz of King Edward Medical University also provided necessary information about breast feeding.