Pakistan loses $2.8 billion annually due to mothers not breastfeeding

Dr. Mukhtar Bhurath, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Health, has emphasized that breast milk is nature’s perfect gift and the most complete nutrition for infants, warning that the declining tradition of breastfeeding in Pakistan is negatively impacting both child health and the national economy.

Speaking at a seminar in Islamabad on the dangers of formula milk, Dr. Bhurath said the government is taking serious steps to improve newborn health and nutrition. He added that parliamentarians will also be informed to help enact and protect laws supporting breastfeeding. A nationwide awareness campaign on breastfeeding is being launched, starting from Islamabad.

Experts at the seminar highlighted that around 6 million babies are born annually in Pakistan, but only about 2,000 require formula milk, such as in cases where the mother passes away during childbirth, suffers from severe illness, or faces rare medical conditions. Despite this, over PKR 110 billion is spent annually on formula milk and artificial baby food, which experts describe as an alarming and unnecessary trend.

Medical specialists warned that formula milk companies are aggressively marketing their products in Pakistan, often misleading mothers. Hospitals and healthcare staff are sometimes incentivized to promote formula feeding, leading mothers to hesitate in breastfeeding.

Research indicates that breast milk is a “living food”, containing natural enzymes, immune cells, and antibodies that cannot be replicated in formula. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly half of newborn deaths in Pakistan are linked to inadequate or improper breastfeeding, with formula-fed infants facing higher risks of diarrhea, pneumonia, and other treatable diseases. Each year, roughly 100,000 infants die due to these preventable issues.

Experts estimate that the lack of breastfeeding costs Pakistan approximately $2.8 billion annually in healthcare expenses, delayed physical and cognitive development, and other related losses.

Dr. Bhurath stressed, “No formula milk can replace a mother’s milk. It is a collective responsibility of the government, healthcare institutions, and society to promote breastfeeding and ensure a healthier future for the next generation.”