Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Thursday observed World Breastfeeding Week 2026 at the state level, with the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) reaffirming its commitment to improving maternal and child health while announcing that the state will pilot an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based child growth monitoring system.

The programme, held in Bhubaneswar, was attended by young children, their parents, senior government officials and experts. It was chaired by Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the WCD Department, while Director Monisha Banerjee delivered the welcome address.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Darswal described breast milk as a child's "first vaccine" and the most nutritious source of nourishment. She stressed the importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, ensuring exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continuing breastfeeding along with complementary feeding until the child reaches two years of age.

She said these practices are essential for a child's physical, mental and cognitive development and highlighted the crucial role of fathers and family members in supporting mothers and ensuring healthy child development.

A key highlight of the programme was the demonstration of an AI-powered child growth monitoring solution developed by representatives of the Wadhwani Foundation, a global not-for-profit technology organisation.

The mobile phone-based solution can assess a child's weight, height, head circumference, chest circumference and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) through video analysis, offering a technology-driven approach to monitoring child growth.

Dr. Darswal appreciated the innovation and suggested further refinements to improve its accuracy, usability and effectiveness. Odisha has been selected as one of the states where the AI-based child growth monitoring system will be piloted.

To promote awareness about child nutrition, parents of children aged 0–6 years who attended the programme were presented with nutrition baskets containing fruits and child-care kits.

Senior officers, officials and consultants of the department also participated in the event and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting breastfeeding, improving maternal and child nutrition, and ensuring healthier childhoods across the state.

World Breastfeeding Week is observed globally from August 1 to 7 every year.

On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida reiterated the Odisha government's commitment to promoting breastfeeding as the cornerstone of child health.

"Mother's milk is the first shield of protection for a child's healthy life. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months lays the foundation for a healthy child and a stronger future," she said, urging families and communities to support mothers in ensuring optimal nutrition for infants.