The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Around 14 lakh children die due to lack of awareness of breastfeeding every year.

This was disclosed yesterday at a round table discussion titled, "Secure Nutrition Diet: Save the Children's lives" at the National Press Club in the city. Eminence in association with Save the Children, UK organised the programme.

National Professor, Dr MR Khan addressed the meeting as chief guest, while child specialist Prof MQK Talukder chaired the function.

In his keynote presentation Dr Shamim Hayder Khan said, "In our country newborn mortality rate is 36 and infant mortality is 52% per thousand."

Speakers said the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of the age of the baby.

Dr KHAN demanded of the government to separate the controlling authorities of Food and Drug .He said there is no substitute of mother's milk. Working mothers' milk can be stored for her child.

The Editor of the Daily Ittefaq, Rahat Khan, doubted that the contaminated powder-milk could be used in manufacturing of food products.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna Organising Secretary of Awami League said the children of today would lead the countries in future. The party would take steps to ensure nutrition and food security for the children.

Prof Sufia Khatun of Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation (BBF) urged the government and donors to invest in breastfeeding awareness programme.

The speakers said after the age of 6 months a child may be given homemade complementary food beside mothers' milk but breastfeeding should be continued till the age of 2 years.

Deputy Country Director of Save the Children, Sayma Anwar, Lalita Bhattachariya, Nutritionist of FAO, and many doctors, journalists, social workers and media celebrities took part in the meeting.