SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre organized World Breastfeeding Week 2024
The Department of Paediatrics, SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, in collaboration with IAP Chengalpattu celebrated World Breastfeeding Week and conducted numerous activities from 1st to 7th August 2024. This year’s theme, “Closing the Gap: In the article “Breastfeeding Support for All” stated that breastfeeding needs to be advocated for and encouraged for the improvement of the health of infants and mothers.
The fete was kicked off on 2nd August with the lighting of the kuthuvilakku ceremony by Lt. Col. Dr. A. Ravikumar, Pro Vice Chancellor, SRMMCHRC, Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar, Dean (Medical), SRMMCHRC, and Dr. R. Venkatraman, Medical Superintendent, SRMMCHRC. The dignitaries especially gave impassionate speeches, noting that there was a need for improving breastfeeding policies especially for employed women.
The first event was a guest lecture delivered by Dr. A. Gunasingh, Dean & Principal, Arunai Medical College and Hospital, Thiruvannamalai. The topic of his lecture, “Overcoming the Barriers in Breastfeeding,” provided the participants with a profound analysis of the difficulties that breastfeeding moms might experience and ways to avoid them.
On 1st August, Dr. Sugapriya, Assistant Professor, conducted a session on exclusive and continued breastfeeding for the mothers. On the same day, an outreach program was organized in which a team of pediatricians and nurses from SRM went around the neighboring houses to counsel the working mothers regarding the importance of breastfeeding and support in workplaces.
On 3rd August, the subject of complementary feeding before or after the six months was debated by the postgraduates of SRM Medical College. Dr. Preethi and Dr. Ranjith were winners of the Best Speakers Awards. An offline breastfeeding quiz was also taken for the nursing staff, where Ms. Jayamala and Mr. Yuvaraj of PICU won.
Dr. Arunkumar, Assistant Professor, with the help of postgraduates, visited the postnatal wards on 8th August and explained the features and benefits to encourage mothers to breastfeed.
The sessions covered in the Lactation Workshop on 5th August focus on the advantages of breastfeeding, correct positioning, and how to latch the baby properly. On the same day, a quiz competition on breastfeeding was also taken among the final year MBBS students, in which Shreaya Sathviga and Borra Venkata Naga Sai won the competition.
Competitions on 6th August brought enthusiasm to the celebrations, with winners across various categories:
1. Slogan Competition
➔ 1st prize – Sree Harichandana – Final yr MBBS Student
➔ 2nd Prize–Athulya Thomas – 3rd yr B.Sc Nursing Student
2. Poster Competition
➔ 1st prize- Kumari Sandhya – Nursing Student
➔ 2nd Prize–Mohana Priya –3rd yr B.Sc Nursing Student
3. Meme Competition
➔ 1st prize– Mr.Thiyagarajan – Pediatrics dept office assistant
➔ 2nd Prize – Z Ameera – Final yr MBBS Student
4. Poetry Competition
➔ 1st prize– Bhavani – NICU Staff
➔ 2nd Prize – Ranjana Rai– 3rd yr B.Sc Nursing Student
5. Short Video Competition
➔ 1st prize – Mrs.Sugandhy – NMC cell
➔ 2nd Prize – Mr.Thiyagarajan – Pediatrics dept office assistant.
6. Rangoli Competition
➔ 1st prize – Dept. of Pharmacology faculties – Dr. Kanimozhi, Dr. Kiran, Dr. Porkodi, Dr. Kavitha
➔ 2nd Prize– PICU Staff nurses – Priyadharshini, Jeyamala, Renuka, Deepika
The valedictory function took place on the 7th of August, marking the end of the series of events. The cine artist Mrs. Sriranjani was invited as the Guest of Honor, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Lt. Col. Dr. A. Ravikumar, SRMMCHRC, Dr. Sundaram, Advisor, SRMMCHRC, and Dr. T. Mythili, Additional Registrar (MSL), SRMMCHRC, presided over the function. The Department of Pediatrics also came out with its yearly newsletter to all its members.
All the winners of different competitions that were held were awarded prizes, and the formal closing of the program was done after the inspiring speech of Mrs. Sriranjani.
