8th May, 2022, IQ City Medical College Hospital, Durgapur
Here’s a good news for nursing mothers visiting IQ City Medical College and Hospital, a breast/baby feeding room has been inaugurated today within the hospital premises on the occasion of ‘World Mother’s Day’.
Worldwide, breastfeeding rates have dropped by 40-50% in some hospitals during the pandemic. Before the pandemic only 41% of babies in India breastfed within an hour of being born, a number that has slid lower during the pandemic. The reasons are numerous, but chief among them is the widespread separation of mother and baby at birth because of confusion over guidelines and deep fear. The government and related health institutions must ensure that every mother has access to credible and complete information about breastfeeding and provide legal, policy and infrastructural support to enable her to breastfeed wherever and for as long as she wishes to. As per reports of 2018 in India as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 (2015-16), only 41.6% children under three years were breastfed within one hour of birth while only 54.9% children were exclusively breastfed until six months. While this is a slight improvement over global statistics, it still means that nearly half of our children are not being breastfed as per the WHO guidelines.
The spacious and accommodative room in 1st floor of the hospital is inaugurated by Ms. Anindita Mukherjee-Mayor DMC , Rakhi Tewari- MMIC – Health, Prof. Goutam Ghose- Principal, IQ City Medical College, Dr. Paramhans Mishra – COO, IQ City Medical College Hospital, Dr. Jayant Kumar Muduli, Miss Sudarshana Gangulee- Director Mani Group along with IQ City doctors, officials, staffs and friends from media.
Speaking at the occasion Ms. Anindita Mukherjee-Mayor DMC said ‘This facility is First-Ever Breast/Baby feeding unit in a hospital in Durgapur. It will definitely help many mothers who are visiting the hospital where they will get a hygienic and safe place for feeding infants. As a representative of DMC, I appreciate hospital management standing for such a noble cause.”
Prof. Goutam Ghosh – Principal IQ City Medical College & Hospital, Durgapur said, “Protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding will save more lives of babies and children than any other single preventive intervention. Globally, exclusive and continued breastfeeding could help prevent 13% of deaths among children under five years old. Breastfed children have fewer childhood infections, fewer chronic diseases, 3–5 extra points of IQ, higher earning potential, more opportunities to prioritize education, and healthier mothers”.
Dr. Jayant Kumar Muduli- Paediatrician IQ City Medical College and Hospital said, “The room has facilities like a diaper-changing table, sofa sets specially designed so one can feed her baby comfortably. The room will allow privacy for a breastfeeding mother which is also very important. The idea behind the launch of the facility is to provide a safe place for nursing mothers and infants. Breastmilk protects infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia – the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide. Longer duration of breastfeeding contributes to health and well-being of mothers as well, by reducing risks of breast and ovarian cancer, type II diabetes, and postpartum depression.”
Miss Sudarshana Gangulee – Director of Mani Group said “ The idea of opening a Baby Feeding Room in the hospital came from the observation that while nursing mothers visit the hospital along with any patient or for the regular checkup of any newborn baby face discomfort during feeding their babies or changing diapers or even catch a breath. Privacy and Hygiene are the two basic rights that mothers should get anywhere in public places, but unfortunately, these two basic aspects are always neglected in public places in our country. Identifying this requirement for a lactating mother, IQ City Medical College Hospital took this unique step. IQ City Medical College Hospital pledges to bring many more such services dedicated towards the improvement of people of Durgapur & the adjoining areas, other than medical care and treatments which is the primary intention of the hospital.”
