Patna: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Patna, in collaboration with the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), Delhi, on September 7 inaugurated a four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on the World Health Organization’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
The programme, being organised by the Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS Patna, from September 7 to 10, aims to develop skilled master trainers who can subsequently train doctors, nurses and auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) across Bihar in breastfeeding counselling and support.
Focus On Practical Training
The programme was inaugurated through a lamp-lighting ceremony attended by Prof. (Brig.) Dr Raju Agarwal, Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS Patna; Prof. Dr Prashant Kumar Singh, Medical Superintendent; Dr K. Kesavulu, Course Director and BPNI Training Coordinator; the Chief Nursing Officer and faculty members.
Speaking at the event, Agarwal underlined the role of breastfeeding in newborn and child health and said AIIMS Patna was committed to strengthening breastfeeding practices and making the hospital a Baby-Friendly Hospital.
Singh highlighted the need to improve early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding practices. He said skilled counselling had contributed to improvements in exclusive breastfeeding rates and that the current training would focus on practical and hands-on skills for healthcare providers.
Aim To Improve Early Initiation
According to Kesavulu, the current rate of early initiation of breastfeeding in Bihar is around 51%. The programme aims to strengthen breastfeeding practices and work towards universal early initiation.
The training is being conducted by National Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Trainers Dr Sunita Katyayan from Ranchi and Manish Kumar from Patna.
Dipti Das, Tutor, College of Nursing, AIIMS Patna, is serving as the Local Course Coordinator. The programme is supported by the Neonatology and Lactation Counselling teams at AIIMS Patna.
21 Healthcare Providers Participate
Around 21 maternity healthcare providers, including doctors, nursing tutors and nursing officers from different cadres at AIIMS Patna, are participating in the four-day training.
The organisers said the programme is expected to help create a skilled and sustainable workforce for breastfeeding support and strengthen Baby-Friendly Hospital practices across Bihar.
AIIMS Patna and BPNI said the initiative seeks to promote, protect and support breastfeeding by ensuring that mothers receive timely, skilled and compassionate assistance.
