Taking a noble initiative, the Department of Community Medicine at SRMS Institute of Medical Sciences (SRMS IMS), Bareilly marked a meaningful celebration on World Breastfeeding Week 2023 on the theme “Let’s Make Breastfeeding and Work, Work!” from August 1-7, 2023 at SRMS Hospital as well as villages like Ghanghora Ghanghori, Bhairpura, Dhaura Tanda & Bhojipura. The event aimed to spread awareness about the importance of breastfeeding for maternal & child health, as well as supporting the working mothers & providing them with essential information on expressing breast milk and storage techniques to ensure they can continue breastfeeding while managing their professional responsibilities.
During the week-long event, Nukkad Natak was performed by Paramedical and Nursing students on advantages of breastfeeding. Apart from general public, awareness on exclusive breastfeeding was also generated among the pregnant women & lactating mothers. Dr Dharmendra Kumar Gupta, Associate Professor; Dr Ruchi Arun, Assistant Professor; Dr Sugandhi Sharma, Assistant Professor & Dr Amit (JR) from Department of Community Medicine, SRMSIMS delivered health & awareness talks, focusing on importance of colostrum feeding, nutritional value of breast-milk and exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months that largely affects the growth of the baby. All the peripheral health workers (ANMs, ASHAs), pregnant & lactating mothers present, were sensitized.
To encourage creative expression among medical students, Thematic Poster Making Competition took place for MBBS students (Batch 2022) with an objective to support breastfeeding practices in workplaces. Air Marshal Dr MS Butola, Principal SRMS IMS; Dr Huma Khan, Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine evaluated the posters & appreciated the efforts of young medicos. A visit of SRMS doctors, MBBS Interns & students was also organized to generate awareness on antenatal care, to the adopted families in villages of Amberpur, Nuan Nangla and Prahladpur. The visit also included practical demonstrations of breastfeeding techniques for lactating mothers.
Overall, the initiative by SRMS Hospital was a significant step in promoting breastfeeding awareness & contributing to a breastfeeding-friendly society.
