Health experts at a sensitisation meeting said proper enforcement of Breast Milk Substitute Act (BMS) will contribute a lot towards substantial and sustainable reduction of child mortality and morbidity rate and sound health of the children.
They underscored the need for ensuring breastfeeding corners in hospitals, health complexes and clinics so that mothers can breastfeed their babies any time without any hesitation. Mortality rate of children can be reduced to a great extent if the new born infants can be brought under breastfeeding within an hour of their birth.
The observation came on Monday at an orientation on BMS Act, 2013 at the conference hall of Divisional Directorate of Health in Rajshahi. Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation (BBF) and National Nutrition Service (NNS) jointly organized the programme.
Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi division Aminul Islam addressed the meeting as chief guest with Divisional Director-in-Charge Dr Gopendra Nath Acharya in the chair.
Assistant Directors of Health Dr Abdur Rahman and Dr Ismat Ara, Assistant Director of Medical Sub Depot Dr Masuma Monjura and Assistant Director of NNS Dr Abu Yousuf spoke as resource persons.
During his concept paper presentation, Md Sakib, Divisional Officer of BBF, said: “Although Bangladesh has surpassed the global target of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF), it is still far behind in terms of ensuring Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF).”
IYCF is the introduction of nutritionally-adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at six months together with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond.
Compared to the urban children, the rural children have been found to be more prone to underdevelopment while the rate of children with stunted growth is the lowest in Rajshahi division.
He said there are complaints that some companies are marketing baby food without IPHN registration, providing gifts to doctors or buyers to promote their products.
