“Breastfeeding is not a choice, it is a responsibility, one which mothers take up in order to improve health, social and economic development of individuals of nations” were some of the opening statements at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s (GPHC) health fair for National Breastfeeding Week.
World Breastfeeding Week 2019 was celebrated in August of 2019 under the theme “Empower parents, enable breastfeeding”, a slogan chosen to be inclusive of the various types of parents in today’s world.
The GPHC showed their support of not only breastfeeding but the numerous benefits it contributes to the health of mother and child through a health fair which they launched on September 19. The national breastfeeding week began on September 15 and came to an end on September 21.
The aim of the health fair was to educate and support mothers who breastfeed and the persons involved in supporting the women during this critical time in the development of the bond between mother and child. A point touched on was how breastfeeding supplies the child with necessary nutrients needed for a healthy life and the enormous impact breastfeeding can have on the health and well-being of both mother and child. Like the theme states, enabling parents during this time can help with breaking down barriers that may force many parents of infants to opt out of breastfeeding.
A topic touched on during the launching was the fact that working mothers only get 91 days of maternity leave and this is one of the many issues that may discourage parents from breastfeeding. A representative from the GPHC spoke about the necessary adjustments that need to be put in place to accommodate the mothers who have to go back out to work after such little time was given to them for recovery. It is critical that the public is sensitised and educated about the importance of breastfeeding. This message is not only for mothers, but family members and friends who support the mothers at this time. The representative suggested that these persons who offer their support, understand that the mother needs help in all other parts of her life, so as her support system they should take up those responsibilities that may be a bit challenging for mothers who are otherwise busy breastfeeding.
In addition to educating persons on the health benefits and necessity of breastfeeding, the fair was an opportunity for the GPHC to give out the annual financial awards, which is a small token the Hospital gives to the children of maternity ward staff-members. The assistant director of nursing services, Celeste Gordon, in a brief speech, expressed how grateful the hospital is for the maternity staff who work diligently. A financial award of $25,000 per student annually was given to students of staff who have been successful at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment examinations.
