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Medica Superspecialty Hospital Collaborated with Unicef for a Breastfeeding Workshop

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News Desk, News Nation 360 : Celebrating 'Breastfeeding Week, Medica Group of Hospitals, the leading private hospital chain in Eastern India, became the first private hospital in Eastern India to join hands with UNICEF for a special event to empower working mothers. On the 2nd and 3rd of August 2023, they are organizing a highly informative "Kangaroo Mother Care Workshop' followed by an insightful 'Breastfeeding Workshop'. On the 2nd of August, the distinguished attendees included Dr Nicola Judith Flynn, MD, Head of Department-Paediatrics and

Neonatology at Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata, along with R. Udayan Lahiry, Co-founder & Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospitals, and Ayanabh DebGupta, Co-founder, and It. Managing Director of Medica Hospitals. The workshops on 21 August, were conducted by eminent Kangaroo Care Master Trainers, Sr. Parul Datta, senior nursing professional and paediatric and neonatal nursing faculty; formerly senior sister tutor, department of Neonatology at Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER) and Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial (SSKM) Hospital Kolkata, West Bengal; Prof. Asim Mallick, Professor and In charge of the Neonatal Unit at NRS Medical College; and Dr Bijan Saha, Associate Professor at IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata. Dr. Vandana P Bhatia, the health officer of West Bengal from UNICEF was present for the event. At Medica Superspecialty Hospital in Kolkata, the Department of Paediatrics prioritizes breastfeeding mothers. They have a dedicated nursing area with comfortable seating, providing automatic and manual breast pumps, bottle warmers, and sterile bottles. The hospital maintains a monitored refrigerator for storing breastmilk, and lactating employees are encouraged to take breaks to express milk. In 1992, WABA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action) launched Breastfeeding awareness to raise public support for breastfeeding due to declining rates and increased infant mortality. World Breastfeeding Week is now a collaborative effort by WHO, UNICEF & WABA. The 2023 theme is "ENABLING Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents-highlighting challenges faced by working mothers. Dr. Nicola Judith Flynn, MD, Head of Department - Paediatrics, and Neonatology, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata shared, "Breastfeeding is not only a vital tool to end preventable deaths but also a catalyst for economic and social prosperity. They must reiterate and emphasize the significance of early breastfeeding within an hour of birth, exclusive nursing for six months, and sustained breastfeeding up to two years of age, they can eliminate 20,000 maternal deaths and 823,000 infant deaths annually. To support working breastfeeding mothers, a global mindset shift is essential. The challenges they face at work are numerous, but with awareness, education, and understanding, they can empower them to overcome these obstacles. Proper handling and preservation of breast milk are crucial to addressing the shortage faced by working women. Everyone should be united as stakeholders, prioritizing the mother and child, and coordinating efforts to provide continuity of care over the critical first 1000 days. Together, in the homes and workplaces, they can ensure a brighter future for today's babies by supporting and empowering breastfeeding mothers.

Pic : Krishnendu Kundu

Report : Anustup Kundu

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