KHAR: Speakers at a seminar here on Thursday stressed the need for making collective efforts to create awareness about the importance of breastfeeding.

The seminar was organised by local health department in collaboration with Uncief at district headquarters hospital to mark the World Breastfeeding Week.

Tribal elders, religious scholars and senior officials of the district administration and health department attended the event.

Scores of lady health workers (LHWs) also attended the conference to share their experience about the trend of breastfeeding in the community.

Deputy Commissioner Usman Mehsud, representatives of health department and tribal elders addressed the seminar. They said that mother should breastfeed their babies at least for 12 months.

They said that milk of their mothers was not only the best diet for infants, but also kept them safe from different diseases.

They said that breastfeeding was also important for the health of mothers.

The speakers said that the mothers, who didn’t breastfeed their babies, could be affected by breast cancer.

They said that trend of breastfeeding in the tribal districts, especially in Bajaur, witnessed a significant decrease during the last several years.

Some speakers also criticised the health department for not sensitising people about the significance of breastfeeding. They said that it was the main responsibility of health officials to educate people.

Some speakers said that there were scores of lady health workers and leady health visitors in the tribal districts but most of got salaries without performing duty.

They blamed senior officials for backing such health workers.

They also showed concerns over shortage of staff, medicines and others facilities in the health units across the tribal district.

They said that shortage of health facilities caused troubles to the residents of the region, especially women and children.

The speakers said that World Breastfeeding Week should not be limited to seminars and walks only but health officials should try to reach every home in the district to create awareness among people.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2019