World Breastfeeding Week begins
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 01 2014 : As in other parts of the globe, the observance of World Breastfeeding Week 2014 has begun in the State from today.

The main function of launching the observance was jointly organized by Breastfeeding Promotion Alliance of Manipur (BPAM); Indian Medical Association, Manipur State Branch; Paediatric Association of Manipur (PAM); Imphal Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society (IOGS) and National Neonatology Forum (NNF), Manipur State Branch at the Jubilee Hall of RIMS here.

The inaugural function of the observance which is being held under the theme 'Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life' was attended by AK Mirabai, Minister of Social Welfare as Chief Guest; Prof S Sekharjit, Director RIMS as President while Dr Shyamkumar Laishram, president of PAM; Dr L Ranjit Singh, president of IOGS; Dr Ksh Kala, vice-president of IMA, Manipur State Branch; Dr Th Nabachandra, president of NNF and Dr N Nabakishore Singh, president of BPAM attended as Guests of Honour.

A booklet titled 'Breastfeeding & Complementary Feeding Guides' was also released by Minister Mirabai to mark the occasion.

The World Breastfeeding Week is also being observed by Community Food & Nutrition Extension Unit, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Chingamathak in collaboration with Department of Social Welfare at Institute of Co-operative Management (ICM), Lamphelpat.

AK Mirabai, Minister of Social Welfare; Dr Rangitabali Waikhom, Director of Department of Social Welfare and Dr Kh Somerendro Singh, Director of ICM attended the inaugural function as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister AK Mirabai noted that World Breastfeeding Week emphasises the importance of mothers while bringing up their babies through breastfeeding.

She said mothers play a major role in maintaining good health of their children by giving them nourishing food, and added that natural mother's milk always makes their babies healthy.

The Minister further said that her department has been implementing various programmes in 42 Blocks in the state under ICDS scheme for keeping children in good health.

Under this scheme, pregnant women, lactating mothers and infants and children between ages 0-6 years are provided food nutrition.

A State level symposium on the theme 'Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life' was also held during the function.

Moderated by Dr Th Nabachandra, Pediatrician (Child Specialist) and consultant of Maipakpi Maternity & Child Hospital, Imphal, Director of Mother & Child Care Hospital, Dr Kh Ratankumar spoke on "Correct Norms of Breastfeeding & IMS Act," and Dr Shyamkumar Laishram, Pediatrician, Imphal Hospital on "Importance of Increasing & Sustaining the Protection, Promotion & Support of Breastfeeding" as resource persons during the symposium.

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