Staff Reporter
DIPHU, Aug 05: World Breastfeeding Week was ceremoniously launched at the Baithalangso Block Primary Health Centre in West Karbi Anglong district. The inaugural programme was held in the conference hall of the hospital chaired by Dr. Ranjit Kumar Nath, Sub-Divisional Medical Officer.
In his address, Dr. Nath highlighted the importance of breastfeeding for newborns and infants. He stated that it is crucial to breastfeed a newborn within one hour of birth, to provide only the mother’s milk for the first six months, to introduce soft and mashed foods after six months along with continued breastfeeding, and to continue breastfeeding up to two years or beyond. He informed that the week-long observance of this awareness campaign, from 1st to 7th August, aims to disseminate these essential messages to the public.
Following this, Dr. Longbiram Derai, Medical Officer of Baithalangso Block Primary Health Centre, elaborated on the correct techniques of breastfeeding and the key aspects that mothers should be mindful of during breastfeeding.
The event was attended by Hilton Saikia, District Programme Manager of National Health Mission, West Karbi Anglong; Rahul Deka, District Media Expert; Jonasing Teron, District Epidemiologist under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme; officials of the Block Programme Management Unit; nurses of the hospital; and a large number of mothers and pregnant women.