Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday showed their concern that nearly only 38 per cent children under the age of six-month are breastfed in the country which, they termed, one of the primary causes of malnutrition in the children.

Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday showed their concern that nearly only 38 per cent children under the age of six-month are breastfed in the country which, they termed, one of the primary causes of malnutrition in the children. The seminar was part of the World Breastfeeding Week arranged by Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, UAF at a seminar room of the National Institute of Food Sciences and Technology (NIFSAT) UAF. They also took out an awareness walk commenced from Admin Block and culminated at Iqbal Auditorium. Presiding over the session, the Faculty Dean Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that motherfeed low ratio provokes many diseases including diarrhea and other childhood illnesses. He said: “some people consider formula milk as healthy as the mothers. Therefore, it is need of the hour to root out misconception among the society and to educate the people about importance and health benefit of motherfed for infants. Minister Counsellor of Indonesia Wisnu Suryo said that the issue of the low breast feeding ratio was area of concern for the health of the infants. He stressed upon need to educate the people about the issue. Talking about areas of collaborations, he said that Indonesia was the exporter of the palm oil and there had carried out a lot of work on their . He said that they would conduct the seminar on palm oil at the UAF next week in which they would identify the way to further strengthen the ties. Palsgaad Managing Director Haydee Carlos said that they will further cement their ties with the UAF in the provision of scholarships to the varsity and other areas of mutual concern. DG NIFSAT Dr Tahir Zahoor said that 44 per cent of children were stunted with lower height for age. Compliance to breastfeeding for two years could significantly reduce stunting in the country. He said that the breastfeeding has cognitive and health benefits for both infants and their mothers. Dr Ayesha from DHQ Hospital said that newborn must be motherfed within the 30 minutes of the months. Dr Nizwa Qamar said that mother feed was perquisite not only for maintaining physical health of infant but also for the mental ability.