Minister of State Officially Launches Breastfeeding Week 2018
The Ministries of Health on St. Kitts and Nevis are celebrating breastfeeding week from September 3-7 2018. Minister of State with responsibility for health, Honorable Senator Wendy Phipps made the announcement during an address on Monday September 3.
She also spoke in detail about the benefits of breastfeeding.
The Ministry of Health also views Breastfeeding Week as a time for all of us to be mindful of the fact that breastfeeding is a natural and progressive building block that should immediately follow pregnancy and childbirth so that our Nation’s children will have the best chance at living strong, resilient lives where illnesses, diseases and nutritional deficiencies are minimized during the entire life course.
The Honourable Senator then praised the staff at the nutrition surveillance for highlighting the importance of breastfeeding, saying “The Federal Ministry of Health commends the staff of the Nutrition Surveillance Programme for their efforts in planning and preparing for this week of activities in recognition of the importance of Breastfeeding to infant health and development. The Ministry’s management team salutes their efforts and those of our nurses and midwives; general health care practitioners; and obstetricians, gynaecologists and pediatricians who tirelessly advocate that our people should – from birth through natural death – have every opportunity to lead whole and productive lives free of illness, disease, and disability through the promotion of breastfeeding…”
Senator Phipps then used the opportunity to officially declare the week open.
She said the week of activities will feature practical demonstrations of breastfeeding at various health centres on St. Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday September 4, video education via the JNF General Hospital and other health facilities on Wednesday September 5, video education via digital screens in public places on Thursday September 6 and a breastfeeding community education: “Stop & Talk” to be held on friday September 7.
The breast feeding week of activities are being held under the theme “Breastfeeding: Foundation for Life”.