Table of Contents
Introduction:
The World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), observed annually from August 1-7, aims to promote and support breastfeeding practices worldwide. The celebration brings together governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to highlight the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of infants and mothers.
Event Overview:
In line with the Tain District Hospital at 60 activities, Tain District Hospital commemorated this years’ World Breastfeeding Week Celebration under the global theme: “prioritize breastfeeding: Create sustainable support systems”. The week featured a variety of activities including awareness campaigns, clinical meetings, community outreach programs, and media engagements to promote breastfeeding benefits and address challenges.
Activities Conducted:
- Awareness Campaigns: Distribution of educational materials through social media, posters, and community events and storming the Nsawkaw market square.
- Workshops and Seminars: Tain District Hospital organized a training for clinical staff, midwives and Public Health Staff on this years’ theme, much focus was placed on the breastfeeding codes, in order to protect the habits of breastfeeding and also highlighted on support systems such as Mother to Mother Support Groups and Baby Friendly Workplace Initiative. Nutrition officers also visited Nsawkaw college of education, where another training was provided the need to protect and support breastfeeding activities within the district
- Community Outreach: The Nutrition and Public Health team together with the District Health Directorate had inception meetings with Community members on the formation of Mother-to-Mother support groups as well as propagate the gospel of breastfeeding, its importance and address challenges, moths and misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding. Some of the communities we visited were Kwakesiem, Soronouasi, Kwadenden and hiamankyene.
- Media Engagement: Local radio (Tain FM), and online platforms including Facebook, tic tok and the hospitals website were used as major platforms to champion this course
- Participation:
The celebration saw active participation from healthcare professionals, Students, community opinion leaders, community members. Schools and workplaces also organized supportive activities to encourage breastfeeding-friendly environments.
Achievements:
- Increased awareness about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
- Enhanced community support networks for breastfeeding mothers.
- Strengthened policies and commitments towards breastfeeding promotion.
- Improved knowledge among healthcare providers on breastfeeding support and management.
Conclusion:
The celebration of World Breastfeeding Week successfully raised awareness and reinforced commitments towards promoting breastfeeding as a vital component of child and maternal health. Continued efforts are crucial to overcoming existing challenges and creating supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers worldwide. For more blog post visit our block page
Recommendations:
- Strengthen community engagement and culturally sensitive education programs.
- Improve infrastructure to support breastfeeding in workplaces and public areas.
- Sustain media campaigns to combat misinformation.
- Foster partnerships among governments, NGOs, and healthcare providers to sustain momentum.
Prepared by:
DANAA ALHASSAN
HEAD OF NUTRITION SERVICES
TAIN DISTRICT HOSPITAL-NSAWKAW