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Tribune News Network
Doha
ASTER DM Healthcare, Qatar, one of the largest private healthcare providers in Qatar, marked the World Breastfeeding Week recently to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers. Aster also called for boosting local efforts to support breastfeeding.
World Breastfeeding Week (WABA) is an international awareness campaign held annually from August 1 to 7, to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.
Aster conducted a series of activities to promote breastfeeding among new parents and expecting mothers. The sessions were specially crafted to educate parents about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for babies aged 0-6 months. Breastfeeding can save lives and improve the health of the baby. Support from family, employers, childcare and healthcare providers play a critical role in enabling a mother to breastfeed.
The WABA activities were inaugurated by Dr Reda Taha Abou Elazab from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), at Aster Hospital, Doha, in the presence of Annamma, nursing educator at MoPH; Dr Vinod Jacob, specialist, Pediatrics & Neonatology; Dr Mahesh Patel, senior manager (Quality Assurance); Priya Poonkudi, senior manager (Hospital Operations); Regina Pinto, head of Nursing and other staff of Aster DM Healthcare in Qatar.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Elazab emphasised on the significance of breastfeeding for better health of mothers and babies alike. Dr Elazab said that breastfeeding enhances the immune system of babies, reducing digestive problems and risks of chronic diseases and promoting their mental health. Breastfeeding also decreases the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.
Talking on the activities, Dr Mahesh Patel said, “Aster Hospital is closely working with the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar, to promote the importance of family-friendly policies to enable breastfeeding and help parents nurture and bond with their children in early stages of their lives, when it matters the most.”
Dr Vinod J Kuriakose, specialist, Paediatrics & Neonatology, stated that Aster Hospital is working towards adhering to the WHO’s baby-friendly standards, which recommend promoting exclusive breastfeeding starting within an hour of birth until a baby is six months old. Ready formula food or other nutritious complementary foods should then be added while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or beyond.
“Breast milk is the first immunisation a child receives from mother; not only does it have exceptional nutritional qualities, but Colostrum secreted after childbirth contains anti-infective properties essential for building immunity against infections,” he added.
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21/08/2019
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