Senate Committee Says Formula Milk Cannot Replace Breastfeeding

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services observed on Tuesday that formula milk could not be considered an alternative to mother’s milk for babies, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding for infant growth and development.

The committee meeting, chaired by Amir Waliuddin Chishti, was also attended by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal.

The committee chairman said mother’s milk provides babies with essential nutrients needed to grow and thrive.

He said an advertisement carrying the slogan “No Alternative to Mother’s Milk” had been aired on 29 television channels. However, the very next day, a company obtained a stay order from a court against the advertisement.

Citing Bangladesh as an example, Chishti said advertisements for formula milk were not allowed to be aired there.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal informed the meeting that 10 health secretaries had been appointed over the past 16 months with the consent of the relevant health authorities.

He said breastfeeding was the best option for babies, but health authorities also needed to consider mothers who were unable to breastfeed due to medical conditions.

The minister further claimed that around 11,000 mothers die every year during childbirth due to food scarcity.