ABBOTTABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 6th Aug, 2026) District Health Officer (DHO) Abbottabad, Dr. Shehzad Iqbal, on Thursday said that breastfeeding was the foundation of a healthy life for every child, urging parents, families and healthcare providers to promote and support the practice for the well-being of future generations.
He expressed these views while addressing a seminar held here at the DHO Office to mark World Breastfeeding Awareness week under the theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life.”
Dr. Iqbal said breast milk was the natural, complete and ideal source of nutrition for newborns, providing essential nutrients while protecting them against various diseases and supporting their physical and mental development.
Referring to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), he said breastfeeding should begin within one hour of birth and infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months. After six months, appropriate complementary foods should be introduced while breastfeeding continued for up to two years.
He said breast milk strengthens a child’s immune system, protects against diarrhoea, pneumonia and other illnesses, and reduces the risk of obesity and several health complications later in life.
The DHO called upon Health Department officials to take the message to every household, saying breastfeeding was not only a medical practice but also a shared responsibility for ensuring a healthier future generation. He urged parents, families, communities and healthcare institutions to provide mothers with the necessary guidance, support and facilities to enable every child to benefit from breastfeeding during the early stages of life.
He added that breastfeeding was every child’s fundamental right and a guarantee of a healthy society, reaffirming the Health Department’s commitment to continuing public awareness campaigns on its importance.
The seminar was attended by District Coordinator of the Lady Health Workers Programme Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad, PHC Coordinator Dr. Minhaj Lodhi, ADC Ms. Nadia, DHIS Coordinator Dr. Iram, Nutrition Programme officials Sohail Khan and Muhammad Waleed, Lady Health Workers and other Health Department officials.
An awareness walk was also held at the end of the seminar to highlight the importance and benefits of breastfeeding for newborns.
