Odisha Reaffirms Commitment to Breastfeeding as a Public Health Priority During World Breastfeeding Week

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of World Breastfeeding Week 2025, the Government of Odisha, through its Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department and in collaboration with UNICEF, organized a media workshop on Thursday to strengthen advocacy and awareness around breastfeeding. Held at the department’s Conference Hall, the event aimed to mobilize collective action in support of this year’s global theme: “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems / Invest in Breastfeeding, Invest in Future.”

Addressing participants, Dr. Rajyashree Pattnaik, Director, Directorate of Family Welfare, underscored the importance of sustained investment in breastfeeding. “Our department is creating an enabling environment for mothers through stronger counselling services and community outreach. Accurate information and timely emotional support are essential to help mothers continue breastfeeding,” she said. “This isn’t just a health intervention—it’s an investment in the future.”

UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Sourav Bhattacharjee emphasized that breastfeeding is a shared social responsibility. “From maternity protection and trained counselling to community support, creating sustainable systems is essential. Breastfeeding provides babies with the best start to life and must be normalized through collective efforts,” he noted.

Odisha’s progress in breastfeeding practices has been encouraging. According to NFHS-5, 68.5% of infants in the state are breastfed within the first hour of birth—well above the national average of 41.8%. Additionally, 72.9% of children under six months in Odisha are exclusively breastfed, compared to 63.7% nationally.

Dr. Aditya Mohapatra, Additional Director, Child Health, elaborated on the lifelong health benefits of breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding is the first vaccine a child receives. It protects against infections and supports healthy growth. It also benefits mothers by lowering the risk of certain illnesses. Building an enabling environment is key to making breastfeeding a societal norm,” he said.

Dr. Smrutijit Patnaik, Joint Director, Nutrition, outlined the department’s efforts to institutionalize support systems. These include continuous training of frontline workers, discouragement of infant milk substitutes through BFHI (Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative) assessments, and establishment of mother support groups within communities.