Islamabad:Breastfeeding is a basic human right for every child, as it provides antibodies and passive immunization that shield them from numerous infectious diseases and also protect against non-communicable diseases later in life, prominent Ulema and healthcare experts emphasised on Wednesday.
At a national interfaith dialogue organised by the Nutrition Wing of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHS, R&C) in Islamabad, participants highlighted the unmatched benefits of breastfeeding over formula milk, urging the public to discourage its use in order to prevent malnutrition and child mortality.
Addressing the event, Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, called on religious scholars to raise awareness among the masses about the Islamic rulings on breastfeeding and its critical benefits.
“Breastfeeding for two years is not only a religious obligation but also a crucial right of every new-born child,” Dr. Rehman emphasised. He added that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is prepared to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions to raise public awareness about this issue.
Supporting Dr. Rehman’s statements, Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, Vice-Chancellor of Health Services Academy (HSA), stressed that mothers are the foundational unit of any family, and Pakistan’s family system serves as a global example.
He voiced concerns about modern media efforts attempting to erode this family structure and praised Islamic philosophy for its advanced understanding of maternal and child health. “We must join hands to protect the health and well-being of mothers and children,” Dr. Khan stated. He also criticized the marketing of breast milk substitutes, saying, “No formula can truly replace a mother’s milk.”
In his remarks, Anteneh Girma Minas, Chief of Nutrition at UNICEF Pakistan, underscored Pakistan’s ongoing battle with malnutrition, which results in the loss of approximately 3 per cent of its GDP annually. He revealed that over 50 per cent of child deaths in the country are linked to malnutrition.
“Malnutrition in all its forms is a violation of children’s rights,” Minas noted, adding that breastfeeding is one of the most effective public health interventions in preventing malnutrition and promoting child development.
Minas went on to stress the need for further investment in nutrition and child development, alongside the strengthening and enforcement of the Breast Milk Substitute (BMS) Act at both federal and provincial levels.
Currently, only Sindh has fully updated its legislation to meet these standards. Minas also highlighted the severe consequences of not breastfeeding, including increased risks of childhood illness, death, reduced cognitive development, and long-term health complications.
Dr. Saba Shuja, Early Childhood Development Manager at UNICEF Pakistan, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of protective policies around breastfeeding. She called for the swift enactment of the updated Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Bill and the promotion of family-friendly policies (FFP) that create supportive environments for mothers, especially those in the workforce.
“Paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks at work, and nurturing care centres are essential for both the physical and mental well-being of mothers and their children,” Dr. Shuja said.
Religious leaders present at the dialogue also contributed their perspectives on the subject. Mufti Gulzar Naeemi stressed the Islamic teaching that mothers should breastfeed for at least two years, describing it as both a religious and ethical responsibility. He urged for the inclusion of federal madrasas in breastfeeding awareness and training programs.
Dr. Ashfaq, another expert at the event, stated that breastfeeding is obligatory for mothers as long as the child does not have teeth, further underlining the importance of natural nourishment. Christian leader Christopher Sherif also pointed out that within the Christian faith, there is a strong rejection of breast milk substitutes, emphasising that if a mother cannot breastfeed, another close female relative should step in to provide milk to the child.
In closing, the dialogue called for more robust legislation to curb the promotion of formula milk and artificial substitutes. Participants also urged the government to ensure mothers’ mental and physical health by focusing on their nutrition. Additionally, experts warned against the health risks posed to children by the practice of repeated intra-family marriages, which can lead to genetic complications. The event was co-organised by WHO, Save the Children, BISP, Health Services Academy, and various other organizations.