{"id":5842,"date":"2025-08-07T17:18:26","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T17:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5842"},"modified":"2025-08-07T17:18:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T17:18:26","slug":"who-and-unicef-urge-global-investment-in-breastfeeding-support-to-safeguard-child-health-and-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5842","title":{"rendered":"WHO and UNICEF Urge Global Investment in Breastfeeding Support to Safeguard Child Health and Development.\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

WHO and UNICEF Urge Global Investment in Breastfeeding Support to Safeguard Child Health and Development.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

GENEVA\/NEW YORK:<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In a powerful joint statement marking World Breastfeeding Week 2025<\/strong>, the World Health Organization (WHO)<\/strong> and UNICEF<\/strong> have called on global governments and health systems to prioritize breastfeeding<\/strong> by establishing sustainable support systems<\/strong> that enable mothers to breastfeed successfully and give children the healthiest start to life.<\/p>\n

Describing breastfeeding as a baby\u2019s first vaccine<\/strong>, the organizations emphasized that it offers critical protection against life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhoea<\/strong>, and significantly enhances child survival, development, and long-term health<\/strong> outcomes.<\/p>\n

Despite its proven benefits, only 48% of infants under six months<\/strong> are exclusively breastfed<\/strong> globally \u2013 far below the World Health Assembly target of 60% by 2030<\/strong>. This alarming gap is attributed to systemic barriers<\/strong> including lack of trained healthcare providers<\/strong>, inadequate investment<\/strong>, and under-resourced health systems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“Millions of mothers around the world are leaving hospitals without the knowledge or support they need to breastfeed,” the agencies stated. Only 20% of countries<\/strong> include infant and young child feeding training in their standard medical curricula, meaning that most doctors and nurses<\/strong> are ill-equipped to guide new mothers<\/strong> during this crucial period.<\/p>\n

In many low- and middle-income countries, fragmented and poorly equipped health systems<\/strong> make it difficult to offer consistent, evidence-based breastfeeding support<\/strong>, both during hospital stays and after discharge. The situation is even more dire in emergency and humanitarian settings<\/strong>, where access to maternal and newborn care is often disrupted.<\/p>\n

UNICEF and WHO warned that global investment in breastfeeding remains critically low<\/strong>, despite research showing that every $1 invested yields $35 in economic returns<\/strong> by reducing health costs and boosting productivity through healthier children.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s World Breastfeeding Week, held under the theme \u201cPrioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,\u201d<\/strong> urges stakeholders to take action across six key areas:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Ensure equitable and quality maternal and newborn care<\/strong>, including breastfeeding support.<\/li>\n
  2. Increase national budget allocations<\/strong> for breastfeeding promotion and counselling.<\/li>\n
  3. Integrate breastfeeding support<\/strong> into all stages of maternal care \u2014 antenatal, delivery, and postnatal.<\/li>\n
  4. Train all health workers<\/strong> with skills and knowledge for breastfeeding support, including in crisis zones.<\/li>\n
  5. Build strong community health networks<\/strong> that provide sustained breastfeeding assistance for up to two years and beyond<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  6. Enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes<\/strong>, ensuring that all health facilities reject unethical promotion of formula products.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cStrengthening breastfeeding support is not only a health imperative<\/strong>, but also a moral and economic one<\/strong>,\u201d said the statement. \u201cWHO and UNICEF remain committed to helping countries build resilient, mother- and baby-centered health systems<\/strong> that ensure no child is left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

    With global attention now focused on maternal and child health, the two UN agencies have urged world leaders and policy-makers to act with urgency<\/strong> to create a future where every mother is empowered<\/strong> to breastfeed and every child thrives<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    WHO and UNICEF Urge Global Investment in Breastfeeding Support to Safeguard Child Health and Development.\u00a0   GENEVA\/NEW YORK:   In a powerful joint statement marking […]<\/p>\n

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