DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked health ministry and authorities concerned to create 10,000 posts more for nurses to accelerate health service in the country.

She also said a total of 6,221 assistant surgeons from 33rd BCS will join their posts.

The premier, also ruling Awali League president, said the current number of 5,000 posts for nurses will be increased to 15,000.

Sheikh Hasina ordered the health ministry while speaking as chief guest at the inaugural program of ‘World Breastfeeding Week’ on Wednesday noon at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in city.

The PM said that the number of breastfeeding of babies under six months has increased from 47 percent to 64 percents in past five years.

She further said that the HPNSDP program that started in 2011 has been extended to 2016 to create more awareness to improve the health of both mothers and newborn babies.

According to the PM, powder-milk worth of about Taka four thousand is imported to the country. Most of them are used as baby foods.

If we can achieve of the target of cent percent breastfeeding at home, we can save this huge amount of money.

According to the World Alliance of Breastfeeding Action (WABA), this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme asserts the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding - in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) countdown, and beyond.

They call on all celebrants of WBW to ‘Protect, Promote and Support Breastfeeding: it is a vital Life-Saving Goal!’

** Mother’s care first: Prime Minister

BDST: 1443 HRS, AUG 06, 2014