On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida attended a special convention organised by the Women and Child Development Department at Lok Seva Bhawan’s Convention Centre.
Addressing Anganwadi workers, she emphasised the importance of prioritising breastfeeding and urged them to be more attentive to the health and well-being of mothers and infants.
Highlighting the need to overcome societal and infrastructural barriers, Parida stated, “Promoting breastfeeding is a collective responsibility. We must remove obstacles and ensure every mother feels supported.”
In a landmark move, Odisha inaugurated its first-ever ‘Breastfeeding Centre’ at the State Women’s Commission. Additionally, the ‘Lok Kalyan Portal’ was launched at the State Social Welfare Board to facilitate collaboration among social service organisations.
The state government has also decided to establish breastfeeding centres at bus stands, railway stations, and marketplaces. Notably, each railway station centre will have a dedicated female attendant to assist mothers.
These initiatives aim to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for maternal health across public spaces.
