Taking inspiration from Brazil’s success in the field of human milk bank, India has decided to adopt a similar model in creating a wide network of human milk banks. Addressing media persons in New Delhi today, after returning from BRICS Health Ministers’ Conference in Brazil, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey said, the government has set a target of ensuring that at least 70 per cent infants have access to breast milk by the year 2025. The target would subsequently be increased to 100 per cent.

Mr Choubey said, the member countries appreciated the Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Government of India for universal health coverage. The Minister further said that issues like primary health coverage, reduction of infant mortality, vaccination, availability of affordable medicines, Tuberculosis and universal health coverage were the main agenda during the deliberations in the conference. The Minister informed that member countries have decided to take coordinated efforts to reduce infant mortality rate, increase the access of breast milk to the infants and ensuring affordable medicine to all.