Aligarh: In order to mark the 20th World Breastfeeding Week, the Department of Community Medicine, J. N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University organized a week long commemorative programme on the theme, "Understanding the Past: Planning the Future".

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Dr. M. Athar Ansari observed that promotion and support of breastfeeding is an ongoing process in the field practice areas under Rural and Urban Health Training Centres and AMU-UNICEF Health Clinics at Jeevangarh and Mahfooz Nagar and not limited to the World Breast Feeding Week only. The week provides an impetus for renewed vigour among the health workers and community. He said the large number of deaths of infants might be prevented if the babies were given "colostrums", also called first vaccination of the baby, and breastfeeding started as early as possible preferably within ½ hour of the delivery.
Taking into consideration the theme of the programme, Dr. M. Haroon Khan, Senior Resident emphasized on analyzing the achievements and identifying the problems in implementation of guidelines on successful breastfeeding.

Dr. Sakeena Mushfiq, Senior Resident informed the participants about the role of community medicine in implementation of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.

Dr. Tabassum Nawab, Senior Resident discussed the common breastfeeding problems faced by the mothers with flat/inverted nipple, fissuring of nipple, mastitis and less milk production, and their solutions and role of health education in prevention of these conditions.
Dr. Khilat Alvi, Senior Resident elaborated the timing of starting complimentary feeding with locally available and affordable food such as dalia, khichdi, mashed banana, puffed rice and seasonal fruits. She also told about the consistency, frequency and amount of complementary foods needed by infants.
Dr. Ali Jafar Abedi, Medical Officer highlighted the week long activities developed by Prof. Zulfia Khan, Chairman and Programme Coordinator. He said that focused group discussions (FGD) will be conducted in the families and women will be asked to put forward their own knowledge regarding breast feeding; the advantages they know and the problems they face.

Prof. Zulfia Khan said that after final programme on 7th August, report of the activities will be sent to Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) and World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).

During the inaugural programme, junior residents Dr. A.R. Siddiqui, Dr. Iqbal M. Khan, Dr. Suboohi Afzal, Dr. Saira Mehnaz, Dr. M. Salman Shah and a large number of MBBS students were present.

Email Story   Feedback   Print Story