Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum has proposed that any future paternity leave policy must carry three mandatory conditions: fathers must spend time with their child, share equally in childcare, and provide support to the mother.
“Paternity leave can be granted, but it should come with written commitments. We must ensure fathers actively take part in child-rearing and maternal care,” she said.
Begum also emphasized reducing reliance on formula milk, stressing the need to promote breastfeeding through better maternal health. She added that healthcare challenges—such as overcrowded hospitals and insufficient midwife training—cannot be solved by blaming doctors alone.