Highlighting the significance of breastfeeding

More than 100 doctors, nurses, and patients at Niloufer Hospital joined the Director Medical Education, Telangana to form a human chain in commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week on Tuesday.

“Today’s human chain highlights how hospitals and healthcare workers help all stakeholders understand the importance of breastfeeding for new-born survival and subsequent good health,” said a statement from the hospital.

The event was organised by ACCESS Health International and the National Neonatology Forum, Telangana State Chapter. Dr Ramesh Dampuri, Resident Medical Officer along with Dr Vasudeva Murali, the President of the National Neonatology Forum, Telangana State Chapter addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of working to sustain breastfeeding together.

Dr Ajitkumar Sudke, Director of Quality and Process Improvement at ACCESS Health International said, “With proper support, nurses and hospital staff can be important advocates for breastfeeding. Labour and delivery staff are with new mothers when they first meet their new-borns and can help reassure them of their ability to nurse their babies.”

Dr Himabindu Singh, Head of the Department of Neonatology, Niloufer Hospital detailed their initiatives undertaken with support of ACCESS Health International. She noted how the Department of Obstetrics and Neonatology, together with the help of ACCESS Health, could increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding to 80 per cent and how together they could also increase rates of early initiation of breastfeeding.

In his signature address, Dr Reddy said, “Breastfeeding has many benefits for women and children: saving lives, improving child health, and protecting mothers against ovarian and breast cancer deaths. There is strong evidence that demonstrates the benefits of breastfeeding for children and women in high and low-income countries alike. ACCESS Health with its Safe Care, Saving Lives programme has been supporting early initiation of breastfeeding.”