World Breastfeeding Week begins today
The World Breastfeeding Week will begin in the country today as elsewhere in the world through different programmes.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the World Breastfeeding Week at 10:00am today at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.
Health and Family Welfare Minister AFM Ruhal Haque said the breastfeeding week will be observed in 170 countries including Bangladesh to create mass awareness among the people to promote breastfeeding.
Referring to a research report, he said at a press conference yesterday in the conference room of Public Health Nutrition Institution (PHNI) that 31 percent child mortality could be reduced if the newborns are breastfed within one hour of their birth.
Children should be given breast milk just after their birth instead of other food items for proper mental and physical growth, the health minister said.
The exclusive breastfeeding increases disease-resistance capacity of children, the minister said, adding children should be given exclusive breastfeeding to protect them from different diseases.
Ruhal laid emphasis on creating mass awareness among the people for promoting breastfeeding instead of powdered milk, saying it (powdered milk) is harmful to children's health.
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