NEW evidence confirms that optimal breastfeeding (exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months and continuous breastfeeding up to two years) could save 823,000 child lives and add USD300 billion to the global economy annually, said Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Acting Minister of Health.
In a message in connection with World Breastfeeding Week 2016, being observed from August 1 to 7, the minister reminded that breastfeeding is important to sustain development.
“Breastfeeding lays the foundation for good health for all children both in the short and long term, and also benefits mothers. As many as 20,000 deaths due to breast cancer globally could be averted if mothers breastfeed optimally,” he said.
Giving all children the best foundation in life begins with breastfeeding – one of the simplest, smartest and most cost-effective actions proven to generate healthier children, stronger families and sustainable growth, the minister added.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof. – FILE PHOTO
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is celebrated every August 1 to 7 to highlight the critical importance of promoting the value of breastfeeding as the biological and social norm for infant and young child feeding. In Brunei Darussalam, WBW has successfully been highlighted since 1999.
This year once again, the Ministry of Health will lead the nation in celebrating WBW by carrying out various activities to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.
The post Breastfeeding can save lives, reminds minister appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.