Focusing on the upgradation of infant care centres functioning at different districts, Minister, Women, Child Development and Social Welfare, Dr louise Marandi assured that the status of infant care centres at every district will be improved for ensuring the holistic development of kids.
In a State-level programme organized on Monday to mark World Breastfeeding Day (Aug 1-Aug 7), the Minister urged to the stakeholders to spread the benefits of breastfeeding among the females residing in rural pockets predominately.
Notably, 33.2 per cent infants in Jharkhand die in the absence of preliminary care especially when it comes to breastfeeding and myths related to it. The State while disseminating the information about the importance of breastfeeding at each district, targets to reduce IMR less than 10 per cent by 2030.
Similarly, Department of Women, Child Development and Social Welfare, Principal Secretary, MS Bhatia while addressing the gathering said that social behavioural change and communication at different level is a prime parameter to ensure that all myths related to breastfeeding are shattered.
While highlighting on various schemes of the government, Bhatia, said, “Maternity care scheme launched by the Central government recently that have the provision of stipend for the first child will further strengthen the concept of breastfeeding. Similarly, the provision made in Food Security Act also guarantees Rs. 6000 to the lactating mother and will help in covering major population. linkage of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) is mandatory in creating awareness.”
Meanwhile, considering the theme of breastfeeding week for 2017, ‘Sustaining Breastfeeding together’, UNICEF, State Head, Madhulika Jonathan linking three vital components, breastfeeding, malnutrition and maternal nutrition for expecting mothers appealed to the State government officials to work extensively to nurture the breastfeeding culture in State.
“Creating breastfeeding corners at every office must be ensured by the State government looking at its importance. A study report suggests, breastfeeding can help infants to fight several non-communicable diseases while increasing the IQ of kids,” Jonathan said.
According to the reports, breastfeeding after an hour of birth and for continuous six months can reduce IMR up to 30 per cent. Even the chances of Pneumonia and Typhoid get reduced up to 11 percent and 15 percent respectively among the infants. Experts opined that breastfeeding is a best way to reduce the probability of deaths among the infants.
Notably, in Jharkhand, awareness regarding breastfeeding is more than 80 per cent at only two districts, Godda and Chatra while quite a number of districts in State till date needs attention on this prominent factor. In a bid to increase the awareness level among the people, State government is all set to initiate ‘MAA’ programme at eight districts of Jharkhand in the first phase.
Giridih, Godda, Palamau, Chatra, West Singhbhum, latehar are among the eight districts from where this flagship programme will be started imparting awareness about breastfeeding and disseminating information about the state-run-schemes.