Bangladesh has done the best among 98 countries in the world in assisting mothers in breastfeeding their babies. The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTI) released a report on Monday.
Bangladesh topped the list with a score of 91.5. According to the WBTI report, Bangladesh has achieved the status of a ‘green nation’ in this regard. After Bangladesh, Sri Lanka is in the second position with 91 scores.
WBTI gives countries the status of red, yellow, blue and green based on 10 indicators and programs. WBTI Global Coordinator Arun Gupta said that this achievement of Bangladesh is the result of efforts since 2005. This achievement is a reflection of the government’s high level commitment to the health and nutrition of mothers and children under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
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Bangladesh has scored 91.5% based on the formulation and implementation of policies on infant and young child feeding or Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF). In 2015, the score was 7.
According to the WBTI, Bangladesh National Policy, Program and Coordination Index 6, Child Friendly Hospital Initiative 6, International Code Implementation 9, Maternity Protection 7.5, Health and Nutrition Care Method 9, Maternal Assistance and Community Involvement 10, Information Assistance 10. Newcomers received 10 for feeding and HIV, 10 for emergency feeding and 10 for monitoring and evaluation.
Apart from this, in the practice index, Bangladesh got a score of 69 for breastfeeding after birth and 75 for breastfeeding in the first six months. SK Roy, chairperson of the Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has continuously stepped up breastfeeding activities.
Bangladesh is striving for further development in all indices of IYCF.
Libya is at the bottom of the list. Their score is 19. Neighboring India ranks 69th with a score of 45. In addition, the United States is in the 7th position with a score of 40.5. The United Kingdom ranks 85th, with a score of 50.5. Germany’s position is also at the bottom, with a score of 33.5 they are in 95th place in the list. Australia is next to Germany, their score is 25.5.