CHANDIGARH; The observance of Breastfeeding Week 2023 commenced with great enthusiasm at the Anganwadi Building near Jamun Chowk, Palsora, Chandigarh. The inaugural event was graced by Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, Secretary Social Welfare cum Home Secretary Chandigarh Administration as Chief Guest, and Dr. Palika Arora, Director Social Welfare, Women & Child Development and Shri Naveen Rattu, Joint Director Social Welfare, Women & Child Development as the Special Guests.
World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated every year from 1st to 7th August, offers a platform to strengthen actions for improving breastfeeding practices in accordance with the Jan Andolan guidelines under POSHAN Abhiyaan. Breastfeeding, being a cost-effective way of nourishing infants, contributes to poverty reduction and is vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) while laying the foundation for lifelong good health for both infants and mothers.
The event was marked by the release of balloons in presence of beneficiaries. The event also recognized and honored 05 mothers, the winners of Healthy Mother and Healthy Child Competitions, who ensured exclusive breastfeeding for their children up to the age of 6 months, following all the prescribed guidelines during pregnancy and infant care. These deserving mothers were awarded with the special Poshan Tokri, comprising an Iron Kadahi, Roasted Bajra, Gur, and Channa.
In addition, the Annaprashan Divas celebrated during the event saw the Chief Guest and Special Guests feeding five children who had reached the age of 6 months, marking the initiation of complementary feeding.
Another noteworthy initiative unveiled during the event was the provision of millet-based Poshak Barfi and Flavored Milk to all Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) & Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) children to enhance their nutritional status.
Further, the event witnessed the distribution of Anemia Mukt Chandigarh batches to members of the POSHAN membership scheme. This unique initiative aims to reduce anemia among pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls through awareness creation, support, and active participation. Currently, 18 groups have been established, each comprising 30-35 members in the age range of 15 to 45 years. Pre-assessment of anemia has been conducted for all 481 members at Health and Wellness Centres, with the facilitation of Anganwadi Workers.
Later a photograph session has also been conducted with the expert panel of the POSHAN Helpline (180018002244) with distribution of medicine plants to the doctors. To address any health-related queries, the POSHAN Helpline (180018002244) has formed an expert panel consisting of Dieticians/Nutritionists, Pediatricians, Medical Officers, Gynecologists, and AYUSH Officers from the Department of Health & Family Welfare, PGIMER, GMCH-32, Home Science College, Department of AYUSH, and Department of Social Welfare. The expert panel conducts sessions every Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, providing individuals with an opportunity to directly seek advice from renowned experts.
A Millet Recipe Stall dedicated to Chandigarh Millet Mission was also set up to demonstrate various delicious millet-based recipes prepared by the Anganwadi Workers,
The event concluded with a plantation drive at the POSHAN Vatika within the Anganwadi Building, Palsora, where the Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, and Dr. Palika Arora planted Lemon grass and Mogra medicinal plants.
Dr. Palika Arora emphasized on the importance of World Breastfeeding Week and informed that week-long extensive awareness activities would be conducted at all 450 Anganwadi centers to promote breastfeeding practices for the well-being of the community. The diligent efforts of the Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 team were greatly appreciated by the Chief Guest, Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav.