World Breastfeeding Week
Tuesday July 31 2007 11:49 IST
SHIMOGA: Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) will observe the 16th World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7 with the message ‘avoid infant mortality by breastfeeding within one hour of birth’.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, BPNI district unit president Dr K S Subramanya Udupa said that an awareness rally would be taken out from IMA hall to the DC’s office on August 1 and a memorandum would be submitted.
In addition to group discussions and video exhibitions, health personnel and Anganwadi workers would be trained to create awareness among women of all classes.
‘Breastfeeding: The 1st hour saves one million babies’ would be the theme of this year and the campaign would be organised in association with district health office, Rotary, IMA and various self help groups. Information sessions would be held in villages also, he stated.
BPNI secretary Dr H V Kotturesh revealed that the rate of breastfeeding in the state is only 45 per cent and 22 per cent of infant mortality can be reduced if the baby was breastfed within one hour of its birth.
BPNI treasurer Dr K S Chinmaya said that about 10 lakh babies die in the country every year due to various deficiencies, and breastfeeding can save 2.5 lakh babies. Dr Geeta explained the importance of breastfeeding.