As part of the observance of World Breastfeeding Week 2026, JIPMER inaugurated a week-long series of awareness activities with an Awareness Rally on Saturday at the JIPMER Women and Children Hospital (JWCH).

  

The theme for this year's World Breastfeeding Week is "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works." The programme is being organized by the Nursing Department, College of Nursing, in collaboration with the Departments of Neonatology, Paediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, JIPMER, from 1st to 7th August 2026.

The awareness rally was inaugurated by Dr. Saga Vinodkumar, Medical Superintendent, JIPMER, and Dr. Adhisivam B, Professor, Department of Neonatology, JIPMER, who flagged off the rally at the entrance of the JIPMER Women and Children Hospital (JWCH).

The rally witnessed enthusiastic participation from nursing officers, faculty members, nursing students, and healthcare professionals, who carried placards and disseminated key messages highlighting the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary feeding, thereby promoting optimal maternal and child health.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Saga Vinodkumar and Dr. Adhisivam B emphasized that breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for infants, protects them against infections, supports healthy growth and development, and offers long-term health benefits for both mother and child. They also highlighted the need for collective efforts from healthcare providers, families, and the community to create a supportive environment that enables every mother to breastfeed successfully.

The week-long celebration will feature a series of educational and awareness activities, including health education sessions for the public and postnatal mothers, poster and rangoli competitions, role plays, open-house discussions, Villu Paatu (folk awareness programme), quiz competitions for nurses, postgraduate seminars, and other interactive programmes to reinforce the importance of breastfeeding.   

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TV/RJ

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