Bhopal: Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) has made a concrete initiative to eradicate malnutrition in the state. Breastfeeding corners have been set up at public places in 47 districts of the state so that newborns can get mother’s milk timely. This was informed by Women and Child Development Minister Maya Singh here today. She said that such corners will be set up at all places so that mothers feel no difficulty in breastfeeding their newborns. Singh informed that mother’s milk is very vital for newborns. It plays significant role in eradicating malnutrition. Mother’s milk capacitates children to fight diseases and saves them from death.
The Minister informed that 22 per cent newborns’ lives can be saved by breastfeeding them within one hour of birth and 15.6 per cent by only breastfeeding till age of 6 months. She said that the government has decided to set up breastfeeding corners so that there is no break in breastfeeding newborns till age of 6 months.
Singh said that she has written to the Railway Minister to set up such corners on railway stations and trains, too. The Railway Minister has accepted the request and is extending cooperation in this regard. Singh informed that breastfeeding corners have also been set up on bus stands, railway stations and other places. Due to this, a mother would not hesitate to breastfeed her child.
In all, three breastfeeding corners have been set up in Bhopal, 47 in Raisen, 5 in Sehore, 2 in Rajgarh, 5 in Vidisha, 25 in Indore, 2 in Barwani, 6 in Burhanpur, 65 in Jhabua, 55 in Khandwa, 3 in Khargone, 13 in Jabalpur, 2 in Chhindwara, one in Balaghat, 30 in Dindori, 4 in Katni, 10 in Seoni, 4 in Narsinghpur, 3 in Ashok Nagar, one in Guna, one Shivpuri, 14 in Hoshangabad, one Betul, 3 Harda, 5 Shahdol, 4 Umaria, 10 Ujjain, 9 Agar-Malwa, 10 in Dewas, 4 Mandsaur, 7 in Neemuch, 20 Ratlam, 8 in Shajapur, 62 Rewa, 15 in Satna, 11 in Sidhi, 17 in Singrauli, one in Bhind, 8 in Morena, 50 Sheopur, 11 Sagar, one in Panna and one breastfeeding corner has been set up in Tikamgarh.