Breast Milk is a baby first vaccine

Breast Milk is a baby first vaccine

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Breast Milk (BM) is essential for the baby especially during the six months of his/her age. BM is the first natural vaccine that every mother should be aware of. BM saves life and gives perfect immunity to the baby. UNICEF is collaborating with the Federal and provincial governments to ensure the children and families are well protected. The government is spending billions of rupees on encouraging BM and to changing mindset of the people. I appeal to the doctors to promote BM and appreciate the role of the Health Ministry in this regards.

The above were the highlights of a short speech delivered by Ms. Angela Kearny, UNICEF country representative in a seminar co-sponsored by UNICEF and Ministry of Health Services at a local hotel in Islamabad.

Dr. Tabish Hazir of PIMS was a keynote speaker. He highlighted all aspects of BM with slides, statistics, and graphs. He disclosed that 80 percent of the medical students were not aware of BM when they were asked to define BM. According to his statistics, it was found that 14 percent of the children’s death was attributed to their lack of BM. Exclusive breast- feeding stood at 37.1 percent since 2006-7 while bottle feeding rose to 41 percent; the highest among SAARC countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai, Director Nutrition, Ministry of Health, maintained that a child needs BM during the first hour of his/her birth and  much more during the next 6 months. He also disclosed that the Pakistani Parliament adopted a unanimous resolution to promoting BM.

The Minister of State, NGRS & C Ms. Saira Afzaal Tartar, was the Chief Guest. Concluding the seminar, she urged the authorities concerned to enhance the role of civil society in promoting BM. She particularly mentioned that holy Quran encouraged the BM.