As part of World Breastfeeding Week, Prayatn Sanstha organized a breastfeeding awareness session at Bishunapur Lohati village in Sirsiya Block, Shravasti district, Uttar Pradesh, under the SBI Sanjeevani Clinic On Wheels project, with the financial support of SBI Foundation. The awareness activity witnessed active participation from 105 community members, including 63 women and 42 men.
During the session, Project Officer Mr. Sundar Singh explained that World Breastfeeding Week is observed from 1st to 7th August every year to promote breastfeeding among mothers, protect infants from malnutrition, and support their physical and mental development. He highlighted that the campaign also aims to create supportive systems within communities, workplaces, and government policies that enable mothers to breastfeed. He further emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the harmful effects of bottle-feeding and strengthening support for breastfeeding mothers at workplaces.
Medical Officer Dr. Suyash Maurya explained that breast milk is an ideal source of nutrition for infants and provides essential nutrients required for their growth and development. He emphasized that mothers should exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months after birth. He also highlighted the health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, including its role in reducing the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and Type 2 diabetes.
Staff Nurse Mrs. Hemlata explained that breastfeeding helps strengthen the infant’s immune system and supports healthy growth and weight gain. Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) Ms. Garima Verma advised mothers on appropriate breastfeeding positions and emphasized the importance of ensuring safe and comfortable positioning while breastfeeding.
Project Officer Mr. Sundar Singh further shared that Prayatn Sanstha, through the SBI Sanjeevani Clinic On Wheels project, is providing healthcare services and conducting awareness activities on the prevention of serious diseases across 20 selected villages in Hariharpur Rani and Sirsiya Blocks. These initiatives are being carried out in coordination with Gram Pradhans (village heads), Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), ANMs, Anganwadi workers and other key community stakeholders to promote preventive healthcare and improve community health awareness.
