Breastfeeding can save lives of children and a message which media can help disseminate, came out of the media workshop which was organised at Gwalior before the start of World Breastfeeding week from August 1-7. The workshop was organised by Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh and UNICEF.
Speaking at the meet Maya Singh, Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh said that State is committed to help increase rates of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding in Madhya Pradesh. She called on support from media to help in this endeavour as you have power to ‘reach out to people’.
Trevor Clark Chief UNICEF Madhya Pradesh praised Minister for her leadership. He said that State has made efforts to increase breastfeeding but we need to do more. In Madhya Pradesh 16 children under age of five years die every hour: early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding till six months of age is simple, and cost effective way to reduce child mortality.
Dr AJ Shinghwekar senior paediatrician from Gwalior explained the how breastfeeding can help in reducing infant mortality rates and maternal mortality ratio.Aparna Munshi Nutrition Officer UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh and Suresh Tomar Joint Director Women and Child Development Gwalior division enforced key messages on breastfeeding of early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding till six months of age and Initiation of complementary feeding with age appropriate quality and quantity.
Sunil Shukla, Editor, Dainik Bhaskar, lokendra Parashar Editor Swadesh spoke that breastfeeding is child’s right and media can and will support to help spread its awareness. As per Annual Health Survey Rate of early initiation of breastfeeding in Madhya Pradesh is 66.8 and exclusive breastfeeding rate is at 41.5 per cent.