The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab here today commenced the Breastfeeding Week, which will be observed throughout the state from 1st to 7th August. A state level event was held at AIMS Mohali. Dr. Abhinav Trikha, Secretary Health cum Mission Director National Health Mission, Punjab inaugurated the event.
During the event Dr. Abhinav Trikha emphasized that as per the Government of Punjab's directives, breastfeeding corners are required to be established in government offices to support lactating mothers. Since, theme for Breastfeeding week this year is Enabling Breastfeeding - Making Difference for Working Parents.
These breastfeeding corners will serve the purpose to encourage and facilitate the environment for working mothers for breastfeeding. He further talked about the initiative already announced by Govt regarding the need to establish creches at workplaces, to facilitate the working mothers to take care of their children while attending their official duties.
He emphasized that Department of Health and Family Welfare Office is planning to establish such a creche, which can be exemplary for other departments to follow. Dr. Abhinav further highlighted the significance of age old practice of breastfeeding, which has been practiced by mankind for thousands of years, resulting in the birth of healthy children.
Experts present in the workshop exhorted upon the importance of newborns to be breastfed for the first six months, as this practice contributes to the well-being of both the mother and child.
The event was attended by senior officers including Director Health Services, Punjab Dr. Adarshpal Kaur; Director Family Welfare Dr. Ravinderpal Kaur; Principal of AIMS Mohali Dr. Bhavneet Bharti; IAP Mohali representative Dr. Jatinder Sharma; Civil Surgeon Mohali Dr. Mahesh Ahuja; Asst Director Dr Vineet Nagpal; State Programme Officer MCH Dr. Inderdeep Kaur.