World Breastfeeding Week sets off with series of activities at Sibu Hospital

SIBU (July 27): Sibu Breastfeeding Support Group will hold a series of activities in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) at Sibu Hospital here this August 8.

Supported by the Sibu Divisional Health Office and Sibu Hospital, the event which will run from 8am onwards will feature the support group’s activities, quizzes and educational booths.

Parliament deputy speaker Alice Lau, who is also Lanang MP, yesterday launched the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) themed ‘Closing the gap: Breastfeeding Support for All’ at Sibu Hospital here.

WBW is an international initiative taking place every Aug 1 to 7 to increase awareness and mobilise efforts concerning breastfeeding, and Sibu Hospital will be promoting this initiative via the Chinese and Malay radio broadcasts throughout this week until early August.

WBW started in 1992 and has featured various themes over the years such as healthcare systems, women and work, the International Code of Marketing of breast milk substitutes, community support, ecology, economy, science, education, and human rights.

Lau, in her officiating speech at the event, said: “This initiative aims to honour breastfeeding mothers and their unique experiences, while highlighting the different ways families, communities, societies, and healthcare professionals can support this group.

“Breastfeeding support comes in many forms – from staff welcoming breastfeeding in your local café to helpful advice from a health worker. These help protect the health and rights of mothers and babies,” she pointed out.

“Women ought to have the rights of access to breastfeeding counselling from trained healthcare providers, as well as laws and policies like maternity leave and other provisions.

This, she said, is vital to promote, protect, and support nursing mothers at home, at work or in public.

Citing the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, Lau remarked that breastfed children often perform better on intelligence tests, and are less likely to be overweight or obese.

Sibu Divisional Health Officer (DHO) Dr Teh Jo Hun, meanwhile, commented that the breastfeeding rates have increased considerably over the past years.

“I remember when I became the DHO five or six years ago, the breastfeeding rate was only at about 20 per cent, and now it is about 45 to 50 per cent,” he said.

Thus, he said it is important for such initiatives to be carried out to encourage mothers to breastfeed their children.

Also present at the launching ceremony were Sibu Hospital director Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu and Sibu Breastfeeding Support Group chairperson Saemah Hamidon.