10/08/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐ง๐ - ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ
Larkana, August 6, 2026: Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU), Larkana, marked World Breastfeeding Week 2026 with a grand collaborative national seminar held at Chandka Medical College, Larkana, bringing together more than 600 health professionals, faculty members, students, Sindh Government Officials, academicians, politicians, district administration, policymakers, development partners, and civil society organisations, to reaffirm the importance of breastfeeding as a cornerstone of maternal, newborn and child health.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, the Minister for Health and Population Welfare, Government of Sindh, highlighted the importance of implementing the Sindh Breastfeeding Act and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to promote early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continuation of breastfeeding for two years, for improving mother and newborn health and wellbeing. The Vice Chancellor of SMBBMU, Prof Dr Nusrat Shah emphasized that universities have a unique responsibility to lead the transformation of health practices through evidence-based education, research, advocacy and community engagement.
The hybrid seminar served as a powerful platform which highlighted that breastfeeding is a public health priority, a fundamental investment in the health of future generations, and an essential component of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing for all.
The collaborative national gathering featured insightful presentations, expert discussions and awareness activities focusing on the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding, particularly emphasising the implementation of Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast-feeding and Child Nutrition Act, expansion of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).
The spirit of collaboration remained at the heart of the event. SMBBMU brought together stakeholders including itโs own faculty and students, students from affiliated colleges, International Rescue Committee (IRC), SALU Khairpur, BNBWU Sukkur, BBSUST Khairpur, UOL Larkana, Khairpur Medical College, Ziauddin University, Sukkur, WHO, UNICEF, SOGP, MAP, PPHI, NHSP Sindh, Sindh Govt MAMTA Program, CSOs including Dharti Development Foundation (DDF), Kainat Development (KDA), and BSWA Khairpur, demonstrating that meaningful progress in breastfeeding promotion requires a whole-of-society approach.
The Seminar concluded by more than 600 delegates signing up the Larkana Breastfeeding Action Declaration 2026, through which all stakeholders pledged to strengthen implementation of Sindh Breastfeeding Act and BFHI, at all hospitals and support for mothers at workplaces.
The SMBBMU thanked all collaborating partners for their valuable contributions and expressed confidence that the Larkana Breastfeeding Action Declaration would strengthen partnerships and contribute to healthier mothers and children across Sindh and across Pakistan.
