RAJSHAHI, May 27 (BSS): Infant and child specialists at a training session here said exclusive breastfeeding is the best way to provide infants with the nutrients they need and the intern doctors should play vital role to this end.
They viewed malnutrition is responsible, directly or indirectly for about one third of deaths among children aged under five. Above two thirds of these deaths occur because of inappropriate feeding practices during the first year of life.
So, there is no way but to promote and protect the breastfeeding substantially in both rural and urban areas. Utmost emphasis should be given on full-length enforcement of the Breast Meal Substitute Act- 2013 collectively, they added.
The observation came at the closing and certificate-giving session of a three-day training workshop styled "Infant Young Child Feeding and Maternal Nutrition" held at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) Tuesday afternoon.
Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation (BBF) organised the training for RMCH Intern Doctors in association with Pediatrics Department of the hospital and National Nutrition Council.
Associate Professors Dr Khalilur Rahman and Mahbubur Rahman Khan of Medicine, Vice principal of Rajshahi Medical College Dr Nowsahd Ali and Associate Professor Dr Asgar Hossain addressed the session with Prof Dr Sanaul Haque of Pediatrics in the chair.
The discussants said promotion of excusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life has been estimated to be the most effective preventive strategy for saving the lives of young children in low-income families, and can contribute towards the Millennium Development Goal 4 of reducing child mortality.
Dr Belal Uddin, Dr Tahmidur Rahman, Dr Shahela Jeshmin, Dr Rokeya, Dr Nargish Sharmin and Dr Firoj Jaman conducted the training as resource persons.
During his keynote presentation, Dr Belal Uddin, said: "Although Bangladesh has surpassed the global target of excusive breast feeding, it is still far behind in terms of ensuring Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)."
