Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh today advocated for six months of maternity leave for all mothers after childbirth “regardless of employment status”.
She was speaking at a district function to mark the start of World Breastfeeding Week 2024. The theme this year is ‘Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all’. The District Health Society of the National Health Mission organised the function.
Speaking at the gathering, Lyngdoh highlighted the significance of sharing knowledge about breastfeeding and its benefits. Sharing her personal experience as a mother, she expressed concern about the impact of untreated measles on mental health.
The minister advocated for enforcing mothers’ rights to six months’ leave after childbirth, regardless of employment status, and urged officers to ensure this policy is implemented, a press release said.
She also emphasised the importance of conserving breast milk and encouraged health workers and ASHAs to raise awareness about breastfeeding benefits.
