Health Ministry targets 70 per cent infants breastfed by 2025

KOTA BHARU, Feb 20 (Bernama) - The Ministry of Health Malaysia has targeted 70 per cent of infants under six months to be exclusively breastfed by 2025.

State Health Director Dr Zaini Hussin said the ministry’s data showed that at present, the percentage of infants under six months of age who were being exclusively breastfed was only 47.1 per cent.

He said several efforts had to be made in order to achieve the target within six years, including a collaborative effort with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the World Alliance of Breastfeeding Action (WABA) to provide exposure on breastfeeding practices to the public.

"We need to intensify the roles played by parties, not just the mother, but also the father and the community, as we know breast milk is the best for a baby’s development" he said.

He was speaking to reporters after the attending a conference on infant and child nutrition here today, officiated by Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus director, Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Sukari Halim.

The two-day conference, which commenced today, is attended by 250 participants from throughout the country including those from non-governmental organisations as well as medical practitioners.

Dr Zaini said among the factors that contributed to women not breastfeeding was their careers, but pointed out that many work places now provided adequate facilities and made it conducive for nursing mothers.

"So a career should no longer be an excuse for not nursing a child, because mother’s milk is not just about food but it is the best for the child’s positive development," he said.

-- BERNAMA