islamabad
An event was conducted by Provincial Nutrition Cell Directorate General Health Services Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with support of UNICEF regarding Launching Ceremony of Global Breast Feeding Month August 2021.
The World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is globally officially celebrated from the 1 -7 August every year. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with the newly merged districts, the norm is, to dedicate the entire month of August to advocacy for the promotion and protection of breastfeeding in the province.
The WBW2021 them/slogan is “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility” remind us that protecting breastfeeding is a shared responsibility. The theme highlights that Suboptimal breastfeeding practices are a public health issue, requiring effort & investment at the societal level and will include multisectorial collaborative actions to protect & support breastfeeding throughout the continuum of care.
The participants of the meeting were Minister of Health, Parliamentarian, Secretory Health, DG Health, Programme Directors, Academia, Public Health Associations, UN Agencies, Civil Society, INGOs, NGOs and Media Persons.
Proceedings of the Meeting: The meeting was started with the recitation of Holy Verses of Quran by Mr. Wahid Nutrition Wing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa followed by introduction of the participants.
Dr Muhammad NiazDGHS Khyber Pakhtunkhwa welcome all the participants on this very important Launching ceremony of Global Breastfeeding Month, August 2021 to protect, promote and support infant and young child feeding, more specifically breastfeeding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and thanked all the participants for taking time, out of your very busy schedules to participate in today’s launch and to pledge your support and commitment for promotion of breastfeeding across the province during the month of August. The Theme of the Global Breast Feeding Month August 2021 was explained by DG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
After that Dr Fazal Majeed Director Nutrition DGHS, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, started with the presentation Update on Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Steps taken by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government to address Malnutrition in the province, Recent interventions for protection and promotion of breastfeeding in the province and Activities planned for Celebration of Global Breastfeeding Month 2021 at Provincial and District Level.
President PPA, PHA and SoGP also mention the (Pledging Support for the promotion and protection of Breastfeeding) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Mr Aien Khan Afridi Nutrition Specialist UNICEF explain the importance of Breast Feeding and its effectiveness for survival and development of a child. He stated that with the technical support of the UNICEF we will go extra-mile, to protect, promote and realize the rights of our children and mothers to survival and development. He concluded that, success in breastfeeding is not the sole responsibility of a woman – the promotion of breastfeeding is a collective societal responsibility – so let’s work collectively to protect women from the influence of the commercial marketing and make our province a supportive and enabling place for the mothers who want to breastfeed.
Dr Ali UNICEF focus on the SDGs, He stated that Nutrition is the core Human Right. Its not only job of a women to breast feed but it is a shared responsibility. Children should be Breast Feed after birth as soon as possible. For promotion/protection of Breast Feeding awareness/advocacy is very important.
Dr Jamil Health Specialist, brief the participants regarding the Global Breast Feeding Month. The explain the importance of Breast Feeding and its effectiveness for survival and development of a child
Madam Madiha Nisar MPA, stated that 47 Female Parliamentarian is working in KP. A room is dedicated for Breast Feeding and Day care in KP assembly. She announces the launch of 2021 Breastfeeding Month Protection and Promotion Activities, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including merged districts. On behalf of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, He thanked all engaged, including the Department of Health, UNICEF, Pediatric, Gyene and Public Health Associations, Civil Society and Media for your commitment and efforts in protecting, promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices across the province.
The concluding remarks was given by Madam Rabia Basri MPA, she explains the role of mother, Importance of Breast Feeding. Workspaces for the working mothers must be provided/established. we will educate our children, mothers to breast feed their children, improve their diet.For giving them bright future we must Breast Feed their children. She appreciates the role of DoH and UNICEF.
Dr Jahangir Khalil Ex Dean/Chairman University of Agriculture Peshawar explain the role of all family members in the early initiation of Breast Feeding. It is a share responsibility not only the role of mother, all family members support the mother to breastfeed their children.
Director Nutrition/UNICEF paid vote of Thanks to all the people who were directly/indirectly helped to make the function or event successful, he also thanks to those who attended the ceremony.
