Health and Family Welfare Minister Salahuddin Yusuf yesterday stressed inclusion of breastfeeding topic in the academic syllabus to make aware the people about its good effect, reports UNB.

He was addressing the concluding function of the World Breastfeeding Week-'99 at the Science Laboratory auditorium.

The function was also addressed by president of Bangladesh Family Planning Association Dr Nilima Ibrahim. Health and Nutrition Affairs UNICEF chief in Bangladesh Dr To Kyaw Myint. Mohammad Ayub. Dr AI Begum and MA Mannan.

The country can save millions of taka if the mothers feed their babies breast milk." he said adding, "the breast milk can save the child from complicated and fatal diseases."

He said the journalists also could play a significant role in motivating the mothers at the grassroots level.

Yusuf called upon non-gov-ernment and social organisations to work side by side with the government in this respect.

The minister later distributed prizes among the winners of drawing and essay competitions held on the occasion, says an official handout.