Doctors, nurses, and nursing students went around the hospital, holding placards and raising slogans to promote breastfeeding awareness among the general public.
The World Breastfeeding Week celebrations took off in the city on Saturday, with government hospitals lining up rallies, human chains, interactive sessions to promote awareness on breastfeeding practices.The Institute of Social Paediatrics, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital (SMCH), and the Department of Neonatology of the Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Hospital for Children have planned week-long events. As a part of this, the SMCH has also placed awareness posters in many Metrorail stations, including Airport, CMBT, Egmore, Central, Washermenpet and Wimco Nagar.World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from August 1 to 7 every year. This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”. SMCH dean A. Aravind and Director of the Institute of Social Paediatrics J. Ganesh were present. The hospital is organising an interactive discussion on breastfeeding for mothers on August 2, followed by cultural programmes by undergraduate and postgraduate students on August 3. There will be an awareness and training session by a certified lactation consultant for postgraduate students on August 4, while cultural events by anganwadi workers to encourage breastfeeding and educate women about its benefits has been planned on August 5.At ICH, the World Breastfeeding Week took off with a rally flagged off by the institute’s director Luke Ravi Chelliah. Doctors, nurses, and nursing students went around the hospital, holding placards and raising slogans to promote breastfeeding awareness among the general public.Gopaul, retired Director and Superintendent of ICH, and Kuppulakshmi, director of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, were present at the event.Exclusively breastfed well babies were identified and presented gifts. ICH’s Department of Neonatology has planned week-long activities for creating awareness among various sectors of people.Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research also launched the celebrations. The week-long programme comprises a series of academic sessions, community outreach initiatives, and public awareness activities, bringing together faculty members, students, and healthcare professionals.Rela Hospital organised a 3-km walkathon from its hospital premises in Chrompet. Over 200 healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, took part in the event, along with members of the public. Published - August 01, 2026 08:50 pm IST
