| Universiti Putra Malaysia

Increasing awareness on the importance of breastfeeding

By Nisa Khairina Amirudin

Photo by Marina Ismail

SERDANG, AUGUST 7 – The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) organised a programme to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week which aimed at disseminating information, health advice and sharing of related experiences with the local community.

The programme which was held in conjunction with the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), is celebrated from 1 to 7 August annually. It has been organised since 2013 as one of the department’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.

Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Hannah Yeoh, hoped that the programme will help increase awareness and knowledge on the importance of breastfeeding.

She said, “The ministry is working towards providing support to encourage breastfeeding.”

UPM Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datin Paduka Dato’ Dr. Aini Ideris, said that numerous studies have also proven the benefits of feeding babies with breast milk.

She added that in order to support the recommendation made by the Ministry of Health in promoting breastfeeding, Hospital Pengajar UPM (HPUPM) is fully committed in achieving the goal of being recognised as a Baby Friendly Hospital.

Among the objectives of the programme were to increase public awareness, particularly among young couples on the importance of breastfeeding, to motivate and provide guidelines on breastfeeding, to disseminate information and advice on health services, particularly on women’s health issues and to bring the local community closer to the medical staff, especially those from HPUPM.

The World Breastfeeding Week Programme (2019), themed “Caknakan Ibu bapa, Jayakan Penyusuan” was filled with many programmes such as “Eh! Mudahnya Breastfeeding” forum, breastfeeding dress fashion show, quizzes, counselling sessions, as well as breastfeeding and breastfeeding-friendly cooking demonstrations.

The programme, a collaboration involving the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FPSK), As-Salam Clinic and the National Lactation Centre, gained full support from Pa & Ma and 9 Bulan 10 Hari magazines as well as HPUPM in making the World Breastfeeding Week Programme (2019) a success. – UPM

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