SRMS INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES CELEBRATES WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK WITH ENGAGING AWARENESS ACTIVITIES
WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK is held in first week of August every year, supported by WHO & UNICEF. However, in lieu of raising awareness on importance of breastfeeding, Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences (SRMS IMS), Bareilly in collaboration with Department of Pediatrics & Department of Community Medicine observed World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) with engaging activities.
Revolving on 2024 theme ‘Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All’, this week-long awareness initiative began with Awareness Talk at ‘Village Naua Nagla’ & UHTC of SRMS-IMS, which continued further with another health talk at RHTC by Dr Ruchi Arun, MOIC, aiming to educate new mothers & community about breastfeeding benefits. The session, delivered by Dr Rupali Gupta, Assistant Professor, Community Medicine; Dr Sambhav Jain, JR-1 PSM; Dr Rakul A, JR-1 PSM & Dr RC Gupta, Medical Officer, UHTC, saw the participation of several families, wherein, insights were shared on optimal breast-feeding practices, proper latching techniques & positioning during feeding. This session, also undertaken by MBBS students, interns & Dr Priyanka, Associate Professor, Community Medicine, emphasized upon breastfeeding challenges/ solutions, importance of colostrum feeding, exclusive breastfeeding till 6 months up to 2 years of age that helps reduce infant mortality, malnutrition & promote child’s overall growth & development.
An informative session also took place by Professor Dr Atul Kumar & Professor Dr Sandhya Chauhan, Department of Pediatrics, IMS on numerous benefits of breast milk, particularly for premature babies, which lowers the risk of infection & Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), gives high-quality fats etc. Towards the end, a Poster Competition on breastfeeding was held, highlighting its significant nutritional & immunological benefits etc.