World Breastfeeding Week observed in Manipal
Manipal, Aug 09, 2022: The Department of Child Health Nursing and Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON) and Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College (KMC) in collaboration with Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), Udupi District Branch observed ‘World Breastfeeding Week 2022’ from August 1 to 7.
Various activities were conducted as part of the program to advocate breastfeeding-friendly practices in hospitals and create awareness among health care professionals and the public to support breastfeeding.
The event was held with the theme “Breastfeeding Friendly Hospitals in India and Step up for breastfeeding – Education and Support.”
A National level Webinar on “Promoting Accreditation as Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to Increase Breastfeeding Rates in the Hospitals” was held on August 5. As many as 170 participants including students, staff nurses, administrators, and faculty members of institutions across the country attended the sessions.
Speaking on this year’s theme ‘Step up for Breastfeeding: Education and Support”, Dr. Shruthi Bharadwaj, Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, KMC, Manipal highlighted the need for support of women in health service, workplace, and community to optimally breastfeed, to provide the Warm Chain of Support for Breastfeeding.
She emphasized the need to train health care providers as breastfeeding counselors and provide practical guidance to mothers in establishing breastfeeding.
Dr. Omesh Khurana, Professor and HOD, Department of Pediatrics, CCM Government Medical College, Chhattisgarh spoke on ‘Promoting Accreditation as Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to Increase Breastfeeding Rates in the Hospitals’.
He highlighted the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) ten steps in key clinical practices and the steps in the process of the Assessment of Hospital and Accreditation to baby-friendly hospital initiative (BFHI).
The session on ‘Nurses Responsibility in promoting Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in India’ was deliberated by Dr. Mamatha S Pai, Professor, Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, Manipal. She highlighted the nurse’s role in developing and promoting the best practice guidelines on practice, education, and organization policy.
Dr. Judith A Noronha, Dean, MCON, Manipal gave the closing remarks. Dr. Shashidhara YN, HOD, Dept. of Community Health Nursing welcomed the gathering. Reshma and Dr. Sangeetha compered the event.
To sensitize on breastfeeding and its importance in the hospital and community, awareness programs on breastfeeding and lactation counseling were conducted to the mothers and their caregivers in Kasturba Hospital Manipal and Anganwadi Centre at 80 Badagubettu Anganwadi center in collaboration with Women and Child Development Department from August 1 to 6 by the faculty members of MCON.
Dr. Jayashree Purkayastha, Professor, Department of Pediatrics gave an awareness talk to the postnatal mothers on breastfeeding on Aug 4.
At the valedictory program Dr. Pushpa G Kini, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, KMC, Manipal who was the chief guest highlighted that breastfeeding helps in bonding and reduces the risk of diabetic Mellitus and uterine cancers in mothers.
Dr. Judith A Noronha, Dean of MCON, in her address stressed the importance of breast assessment during the antenatal period to avoid breastfeeding-related problems in the later stage.
Dr. Baby S Nayak, HOD, Dept. of Child Health Nursing delivered the vote of thanks.
