Indian troops in their continued acts of state terrorism martyred 14 innocent Kashmiris including two women during the last month of March in Indian Occupied Kashmir. According to the data compiled by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service, of those martyred, two were killed in custody.
During the month, 68 people were critically injured when Indian police and paramilitary personnel used brute force against peaceful demonstrators at different places in the occupied territory. Forty-nine civilians including students were taken into custody while the Indian troops damaged four houses during their siege and search operations and disappeared a youth in custody in the month.
Boao Conference significant to discuss economic matters: Former Pakistan Ambassador to China Javed Hussain termed Boao Conference as very significant like Davos for discussing international economic matters. Talking to PTV, he said that Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani would try to get international cooperation in energy sector to overcome power crisis and improve its national economy. He stressed that Pakistan should also improve its internal financial polices to overcome energy and financial crises. He said that the Conference will further strengthen Pak-China ties. He said that the meeting of Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Italy will further enhance cooperation between the two countries in trade and other sectors. Both Premiers will also exchange views on regional and international matters like Afghanistan and Iran, he added.
Appropriate feeding during 6 to 23 months reduces mortality: Health experts on Sunday said that appropriate feeding during 6 to 23 months of age reduces under nutrition, childhood illnesses and mortality rate especially in resource poor settings.
They were addressing the dissemination meeting of South Asia Infant Feeding Research Network (SAIFRN) Pakistan on “Complementary feeding practices in Pakistan” held here at Children Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The purpose of this meeting was to share the results of the sub-analysis of DHS 2006-07 data focusing on “Determinants of inappropriate timing of introducing solid, semisolid or soft foods to infants in Pakistan”.
The experts said complementary feeding rates are undesirably low in Pakistan compared to other countries in the region. They added to improve timely complementary feeding there is a need to make strategies in this regard including better antenatal counseling.
They said there is also a need to have uniform approach for collecting data on complementary feeding to include all WHO recommended complementary feeding indicators. Principal Investigator, South Asian Infant Feeding Research Network (SAIFRN), Pakistan, Dr. Tabish Hazir presented introduction to SAIFRN and its activities in the South Asian region. He also presented data on WHO IYCF core indicators from the region. Research Administrator, ARI Research Cell, Children Hospital, PIMS, Dr Narjis Kazmi presented the findings of complementary feeding practices in Pakistan.
The participants of the meeting were experts and scientists related to child health research, paediatricians, gynecologists, representatives of local and international non-governmental organizations, Nutrition Wing, and other stakeholders related to maternal and child health. Deputy Country Representative, UNICEF, Pakistan, Ms Karen Allen was the chief guest on the occasion.
