Guest Lecture – “A Lifelong Start: Healthcare Workers Promoting Sustainable Breastfeeding Support System”

The Department of Community Medicine, in collaboration with the Medical Education Unit, had organised a guest lecture on “A Lifelong Start: Healthcare Workers Promoting Sustainable Breastfeeding Support System” by Dr. Akshata Hiremath, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Infertility Specialist, Consultant at Motherhood Hospital, Bangalore on 14th August 2025.

This session was conducted to enhance the understanding of the importance of breastfeeding and nourishing the child, the importance of World Breastfeeding Week, which is observed every year in the first week of August. Ensuring every mother has access to the support and information she needs to breastfeed as long as she wishes to do so – by investing in skilled breastfeeding counselling, enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and creating environments—at home, in healthcare, and at work—that support and empower women.

The speaker also addressed common challenges faced by healthcare workers and mothers in combating myths and misconceptions related to breastfeeding.

Dr. B. Devanand, in his presidential remarks, appreciated Dr. Akshata Hiremath for sparing valuable time for this guest lecture and for creating awareness among nursing students regarding the right methods to be followed while counselling the mothers with respect to breastfeeding.

This was followed by the registrar Dr. T. Srinivas, who shared his insights on the change in trends in breastfeeding through the ages and also thanked the speaker for sharing such valuable insights and practical guidance among the faculties and students.

The session concluded with a detailed and interactive discussion segment, which provided clarity and enriched the faculty’s understanding of the topic.

The conduction of the guest lecture was highly appreciated by the authorities and deemed to be a resounding success.