KARACHI: The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Friday only 48.4 percent of infants under six months were exclusively breastfed in Pakistan, a shortfall that is costing the country an estimated $2.8 billion annually due to the negative impact on public health.
Low rates of breastfeeding have serious public health and economic consequences in Pakistan and are linked to more than 33,700 child deaths, 6.6 million diarrhea cases and 2.7 million school years lost every year, according to data from Nutrition International. Families also spend more than $888 million each year on breastmilk substitutes, which are less nutritious and increase the risk of illness in infants.
“Investing in informing and supporting all mothers to prioritize breastfeeding is investing in a healthier Pakistan,” WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Dapeng Luo was quoted as saying in a statement, which said the 48.4 percent of infants under six months who are exclusively breastfed in Pakistan was well below the World Health Assembly target of 60 percent by 2030.
“WHO will continue to fully support Pakistan and its partners to promote breastfeeding, which is the safest and best way to protect a baby’s health and, in addition, generates $35 in economic returns for every dollar invested.”
Under this year’s global theme of Breastfeeding Week 2025 — Prioritize breastfeeding: Create sustainable support systems — WHO reaffirmed that breastfeeding remains one of the most effective interventions for infant health and survival.
Since January 2024, WHO has supported over 172,000 mothers in 157 nutrition stabilization centers across Pakistan and trained more than 700 health care workers under breastfeeding promotion programs.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s health, development, and survival in the earliest stages of life. It provides essential nutrients, strengthens the immune system, and acts as a newborn’s first vaccine by offering protection against common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia.
The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, as it significantly lowers the risk of infant mortality, malnutrition and infection.
