IHHN & UNICEF Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2023

Breastfeeding plays a critical role in the health and well-being of both infants and mothers. However, according to the Demographic and Health Survey of Pakistan 2012-2013, the exclusive breastfeeding rate for children under six months currently stands at 38%, falling short of the World Health Assembly’s (WHA) Target of 50% by 2025. To contribute to this mission and raise awareness about the critical importance of breastfeeding, the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN), in partnership with UNICEF, celebrated World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2023 observed from August 1 to August 7 each year.

On August 7th, 2023, the World Breastfeeding Week Inauguration Awareness Seminar was held at the District Health Office (DHO) in Khairpur, Pakistan. This event became possible through the collaborative efforts of the Community Engagement Center – Karachi team, in partnership with the Shifa Foundation, UNICEF, and the Government of Sindh.

The seminar had around 80 participants, including Assistant District Health Officers government representatives, and focal persons, as well as Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counselors and Nutrition Assistants from both IHHN and the Shifa Foundation. The primary objectives of the seminar were to educate attendees about the significance of raising awareness during Breastfeeding Week and to prepare and inform teams about the activities planned for the week-long celebration of WBW.

The seminar covered presentations on the IHHN and UNICEF Flood Relief Program delivered by the CEC Team, a brief overview provided by the Khairpur District Coordinator Shifa Foundation, a message emphasizing the event’s importance delivered by Dr. Shahid Khaskheli, ADHO, and comprehensive sessions on the significance of mother’s milk and breastfeeding were conducted by Dr. Falak Sher and other experts. The seminar concluded with refreshments for all participants.

Breastfeeding Week was celebrated at seven facilities, including five in Khairpur and two in Dadu. These activities aimed to create a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers and promote awareness about its benefits.

In each facility, dedicated IYCF Corners were established, and decorated with stickers, banners, and frames to create an engaging environment. Along with the IYCF Corners were the Breastfeeding Corners for the mother to wean their children comfortably. Awareness sessions were conducted specifically for Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLWs) with the aim of enhancing their understanding of the critical importance of breastfeeding. Following these informative sessions, screenings were carried out to assess malnutrition levels among both PLWs and children under five years of age.

Throughout the course of the week-long activity, a total of 93 awareness sessions were conducted, involving the participation of 1,341 individuals. Additionally, 1,381 PLWs underwent screenings to detect malnutrition, while 803 children under the age of 5 were also screened using the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) method.

To foster a sense of community support and appreciation for participants, refreshments were thoughtfully provided at the conclusion of each awareness session

The success of the Breastfeeding Week initiative can be attributed to the enthusiastic efforts of Nutrition Assistants, IYCF personnel, and youth champions at each of the seven facilities of IHHN whose dedication and commitment played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth execution of the awareness campaign.