Manish Mathur, Programme Manager of UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh said that breastfeeding saves lives of children. He was speaking at the media interaction held at Indore on Thursday. He shared that first week of August is globally marked as ‘World Breast feeding Week’ to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.
This year, the theme of World Breastfeeding Week is 'breastfeeding support close to mothers'. The aim of the meeting was to seek media’s support to promote breastfeeding as one of the most critical interventions which can help bring down infant mortality. Ajay Chaturvedi, Director Press Information Bureau, media can play an important role in promotin the importance of breastfeeding. Media can play vital role in reaching out to communities with this life saving message.
Aparna Munshi, Nutrition Officer, UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh shared that early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour, exclusive breastfeeding till six months of age and age appropriate complementary feeding after six months with continued breastfeeding till at least two years can help bring down under infant and under five mortality rate. She shared that as per survey done by National Institute of Nutrition for Government of Madhya Pradesh in the year 2010, 26.4 per cent breastfeed children within one hour of birth and 71 per cent exclusively breastfeed children till six months of age.
Sharad Pandit, Joint Director Health and Family Welfare, Indore division, spoke on the State initiatives and efforts being done to promote this intervention. He added that though there are challenges, but Department is taking steps like appointment of breastfeeding counselors at district hospitals, village health and nutrition days at AWCs to promote breastfeeding behaviour. Dr Manjula Chaturvedi, Deputy Director Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh said it is a social issue, and needs behavior change among communities. Department of Women and Child development is taking steps to reach out with its network of anganwadi centers and using platforms like Mangwal Diwas, to help bring awareness among communities. Anil Gulati Communication Specialist, UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh coordinated the interaction. Pooja P Vardhan, Additional Director Press Information Bureau, Indore was also present at the meet.
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