Jaipur, Aug. 8 -- The Rajasthan government has partnered with UNICEF and leading medical institutions to strengthen breastfeeding promotion across the state, with Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, Gayatri Rathore stressing that breastfeeding is the most effective and natural way to give newborns a healthy start to life. Chairing a meeting on Friday as part of World Breastfeeding Week 2026, Rathore said this year's theme, "Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems", highlights the need to reinforce effective measures that enable every child to receive the best possible start in life through breastfeeding. She directed doctors, nurses and frontline health workers to counsel new mothers on the health benefits of breastfeeding and the risks associated with not breastfeeding infants. Rathore said nearly 95% of deliveries in the state now take place in healthcare institutions, providing an opportunity to improve breastfeeding practices through regular counselling by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home-Based Young Child Care (HBYC) programmes, along with ongoing nutrition campaigns. She said the state government is working to make breastfeeding counselling services accessible at hospitals and community health centres. Calling breast milk the best nutrition for infants, Rathore said mothers should receive full support from families, healthcare workers and society to initiate breastfeeding immediately....