Breastfeeding Promotion Program Adopted

On September 19, 2023, under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, measures to protect children's health and promote breastfeeding were discussed. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

At the meeting, it was noted that in recent years, the rate of breastfeeding infants worldwide has been declining, while the consumption of substitute products has significantly increased. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, by 2030, at least seventy percent of infants up to six months old should be exclusively breastfed.

Currently, in Uzbekistan, this indicator is only twenty-five percent. Therefore, a "National Program to Support Breastfeeding" is being developed in the country.

Within the framework of this program, the World Health Organization and UNICEF initiatives such as "Baby-Friendly Medical Institution" and "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" will be implemented. Medical personnel will receive special training, and seminars to increase knowledge for pregnant and young mothers will be held.

In addition, legislative amendments will be made to restrict advertising of breast milk substitutes. The regulations for the production, import, and sale of food products intended for children will be improved.

According to Minister of Health Asilbek Khudayarov, due to active advertising of artificial baby foods in recent years, many mothers feed their children with products of questionable quality. Therefore, within the framework of the new project, large-scale information campaigns will be organized to widely communicate the benefits of breastfeeding to the public.

These measures are aimed at strengthening children's health and increasing the importance of breast milk (source: zamin.uz).