LAHORE, Sept 2: Health Director General Dr Tanvir Husain has said breast feeding develops resistance against diseases in children which reduces infant mortality rate.

Addressing a seminar held in connection with the global breast feeding week at Alhamra Hall on Monday, he said breast feeding reduced chances of breast cancer among mothers.

Organised by the health department, the seminar was attended by Punjab Lady Health Workers Programme Coordinator Dr Akhtar Rasheed Malik, Dr Rana Mushtaq from Unicef, lady health workers, lady health supervisors and other staff.

Dr Tanvir said: “Birth gap also increases naturally when women follow principles of breast feeding that leaves a positive impact on the health of both mother and child. According to teachings of the Holy Quran, feeding of children for two years is obligatory for Muslim mothers.”

Dr Akhtar Malik said the role of lady health workers was important for creating awareness about principles of hygiene among women.

He said the government had regularised the services of more than 47,000 lady health workers, lady health supervisors and other staff.

“Punjab is the only province where salaries are being paid to lady health workers regularly. So it is their prime responsibility to sensitise the women to preventive measures.”

Dr Malik said 466 centres were being set up at district and tehsil levels during the current year for the treatment of children suffering from malnutrition, and the government would spend Rs9 billion on the programme during three years.

He said special food would be given to the children suffering from malnutrition at these centres.

Prof Nosheen Riaz of the King Edward Medical University also provided necessary information about breast feeding.