Breastfeeding provides health advantages for both mothers and their children, fostering their comprehensive development and well-being
OdishaPlus Bureau
The government of Odisha has instructed senior officials to set up breastfeeding facilities in both offices and public areas, with the objective of enhancing maternal health and governance. Reena Mohapatra, the additional secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, has sent a letter to all department secretaries, directors, and district collectors, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the establishment of these facilities. This initiative is part of a wider strategy by the newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state to bolster support for women in the workplace and in other spheres.
The responsibility of establishing breastfeeding cabins in all government offices has been assigned to the secretaries and directors, while district collectors will manage the implementation of these facilities in public spaces and private organizations. This initiative comes in the wake of the government’s recent policy granting one day’s paid menstrual leave to female employees, effective from August 16.
In addition to this, the state has reaffirmed its dedication to women’s welfare by introducing the ‘Subhadra Yojana’, which will offer financial support of Rs 50,000 to women. The launch of this scheme is scheduled for September 17.
Data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) indicates that Odisha has demonstrated commendable achievements in maternal and child health. Specifically, 68.5 percent of infants in the state are breastfed within the first hour of birth, a figure that significantly exceeds the national average of 41.8 percent. Furthermore, Odisha outperforms the national average in exclusive breastfeeding during the initial six months, recording a rate of 72.9 percent compared to India’s overall rate of 63.7 percent.
This recent information was released in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), which is celebrated from August 1 to August 7. Sanjukta Sahoo, the director of Family Welfare, emphasized, “Breast milk contains vital antibodies that safeguard infants against illnesses and acts as their primary source of nutrition.”
She further noted, “Breastfeeding provides enduring health advantages for both mothers and their children, fostering their comprehensive development and well-being.”
