WEB DESK: The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services has stressed that formula milk cannot replace breastfeeding, highlighting the importance of mothers’ milk for infants’ healthy growth and development.
The committee meeting, chaired by Amir Waliuddin Chishti, was attended by Federal Health Minister Kamal Mustafa, who discussed breastfeeding promotion and challenges faced by mothers unable to nurse their babies.
The committee chairman said breast milk provides essential nutrients required for an infant’s growth and well-being.
He also referred to an awareness campaign carrying the slogan “No alternative to mother’s milk”, which was broadcast on 29 television channels. However, he said a company obtained a court stay order the following day, halting the campaign.
Citing Bangladesh as an example, Chishti said advertisements promoting formula milk were not permitted there.
Health Minister Kamal Mustafa informed the committee that 10 health secretaries had been appointed over the past 16 months with the consent of the relevant health authorities.
He reiterated that breastfeeding was the best option for infants but said authorities also needed to consider mothers who could not breastfeed due to medical complications.
The minister further revealed that an estimated 11,000 women die every year in Pakistan during childbirth due to food shortages, underscoring the need to address maternal nutrition and healthcare challenges.
