By Zardad Wazir
WANA: A seminar and awareness walk were organized at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Wana to mark World Breastfeeding Awareness Day and highlight the importance of breastfeeding for the healthy growth and development of newborns.
The awareness event, held at the hospital auditorium, brought together health officials, doctors, religious scholars, journalists, social workers, medical staff and local residents. Participants later joined an awareness walk carrying banners promoting breastfeeding and maternal and child health.
The gathering was attended by District Health Officer Lower South Waziristan Dr Adnan Dawar, Additional District Health Officer Dr Irfan Wazir, DMS Dr Nawaz Khan, Dr Zain-ul-Abideen Wazir and other officials from the health department.
Addressing the seminar, Dr Zain-ul-Abideen Wazir described breast milk as the most complete and natural source of nutrition for newborns, saying it plays a crucial role in a child’s physical, mental and emotional development. He said starting breastfeeding soon after birth helps strengthen a baby’s immune system and provides protection against several serious health risks.
Referring to World Health Organization recommendations, Dr Zain-ul-Abideen said infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, with breastfeeding continuing up to two years or beyond along with suitable complementary foods.
DMS Dr Nawaz Khan highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers as well, saying it supports recovery after childbirth, lowers the risk of certain illnesses and helps strengthen the emotional connection between mother and child. Religious scholar Mufti Salahuddin Wazir also addressed the participants and spoke about the importance of breastfeeding from an Islamic perspective.
District Health Officer Dr Adnan Dawar said maternal and child health remained a top priority for the Health Department. He added that awareness programmes, counselling sessions and educational activities at healthcare facilities would continue to guide mothers about breastfeeding practices.
He urged parents, religious scholars, teachers and community members to contribute to awareness efforts aimed at reducing malnutrition and childhood diseases. The event concluded with participants pledging to continue joint efforts to promote breastfeeding and improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and children in the region.
#Wana #SouthWaziristan #BreastfeedingAwarenessDay #WorldBreastfeedingWeek #Breastfeeding #MaternalHealth #ChildHealth #NewbornHealth #BreastMilk #InfantNutrition #ExclusiveBreastfeeding #HealthcareAwareness #HealthDepartment #DHQHospitalWana #MotherAndChild #Malnutrition #ChildNutrition #PublicHealth #HealthAwareness #Pakistan #KhyberPak
