Raebareli — The Department of Community Medicine and Public Health at AIIMS Raebareli, together with the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, held the inaugural ceremony for World Breastfeeding Week 2026 on August 1 at the ground floor of the hospital building. The event was aimed at raising awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and promoting the right feeding practices for infants and young children among mothers, families, and the wider community.
Executive Director Dr. Amita Jain spoke at the inauguration about breastfeeding, maternal nutrition, and their bearing on infant health, stressing the need to support mothers so that breastfeeding can succeed. Dean (Academics) Dr. Neeraj Kumari, along with Dr. Bholanath, Dr. Parul Sinha, and Dr. Namita Mishra, were also present — their attendance reflecting the institute’s broader commitment to breastfeeding and maternal-child health. The programme was conducted by organizing secretary Dr. Abhay Singh.
The event opened with addresses underlining the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding thereafter. Dignitaries encouraged both healthcare workers and the community to actively support breastfeeding-friendly practices.
One of the highlights of the day was a street play (nukkad natak) performed by the institute’s intern students. Through an engaging and informative performance, the interns got across key messages about the benefits of breastfeeding, cleared up some common misconceptions, and drove home the importance of family support for breastfeeding mothers.
An interactive awareness session was also held, where the audience took part enthusiastically, answering questions related to breastfeeding practices, maternal nutrition, and infant feeding. Participants who answered correctly were applauded and given prizes, which kept the session lively and engaging.
The inauguration saw enthusiastic participation from faculty members, resident doctors (Dr. Shashank and Dr. Aparna), interns, MBBS students, patients, and their attendants. The programme succeeded in building awareness around the importance of breastfeeding and further reinforced AIIMS Raebareli’s commitment to promoting maternal and child health through community engagement and health education. Through the rest of World Breastfeeding Week, a series of awareness activities, educational sessions, and community outreach programmes will continue to be held, aimed at strengthening breastfeeding practices and improving children’s health.
