Minister of State for National Health Services Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath has urged mothers across Pakistan to breastfeed their infants, warning that the growing dependence on formula milk is not only harming child health but also burdening the national economy.
Speaking at a seminar in Islamabad, Dr Bharath emphasized that breast milk remains the most complete and natural source of nutrition for infants. He said the federal government is taking serious steps to improve child nutrition and promote awareness about breastfeeding.
“The best nourishment for a newborn is breast milk,” he stated, adding that the government is determined to introduce stronger legislation supporting breastfeeding. He also announced plans for a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at educating mothers and families about its benefits.
Health officials revealed that Pakistan consumes more than Rs110 billion worth of formula milk and baby food every year. Experts warn that poor breastfeeding practices carry major health and economic consequences. According to the World Health Organisation, nearly half of child deaths—mostly from infections like diarrhoea and pneumonia—are linked to inadequate breastfeeding.
Economically, Pakistan loses an estimated $2.8 billion annually due to increased illness, higher healthcare costs, and reduced cognitive development among children.
Although breast milk substitutes are rarely necessary, they are widely marketed for older infants and toddlers, particularly in urban areas. Public health experts have raised alarms about the aggressive and unregulated advertising practices of multinational formula companies, which continue to expand their market despite limited medical need.
Pakistan records about six million births every year, and only a small fraction of newborns cannot be breastfed immediately after birth due to maternal or infant health issues. Experts estimate that fewer than 2,000 newborns genuinely require formula milk in the immediate postnatal period.
Despite this, seven multinational corporations dominate the country’s infant formula market. These companies are reportedly lobbying to dilute the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Young Child Nutrition Act, 2023, and to resist similar efforts at the federal and provincial levels.
Dr Bharath reaffirmed the government’s resolve to prioritize child nutrition, strengthen legislation, and curb commercial influences undermining breastfeeding practices nationwide.
Though Hilarious but he is correct.