Infant mortality rate (IMR) has declined in Tuticorin district. While Tamil Nadu has an IMR of 22 deaths per 1,000 live births, Tuticorin’s IMR is 12.5 per 1,000 births of infant babies. Perhaps, it is the lowest among all districts, according to Collector M. Ravikumar.
While delivering the inaugural address at the Breastfeeding Week awareness programme organised by Tuticorin Government Medical College Hospital on Monday, he said that on an average 37,000 babies were born in a year in the district and breast-fed babies would gain more immunity against diseases. Once the newborn babies were breastfed for a period of six months and with supplement food for the subsequent six months, they would not be vulnerable to ailments, he said.
Sale of instant milk powder was banned in all government and private hospitals so as to strictly ensure breastfeeding for the first six weeks after delivery, the Collector said.
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Financial assistance of Rs.4,000 was also being provided under Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Scheme. Breastfeeding aided in developing a strong bond between mothers and babies. Hence, women should realise the importance of breastfeeding, he said. The State government had established nursing rooms in bus stands exclusively for breastfeeding.
In Tuticorin district, the rooms were set up at two bus stands, two municipalities and 12 town panchayats. Drinking water and fans were available in the rooms, the Collector said.
Medical College Dean B. Shantha Kumar, Deputy Director of Health S. Uma and doctors from Department of Paediatrics were present.
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Kanyakumari
The Breastfeeding Week celebration was inaugurated by Kanyakumari Government Medical College Hospital
Dean S. Vadivel Murugan.
An elocution competition for final year MBBS students was also held. P.M. Suresh welcomed the gathering and Vijayalakshmi proposed a vote of thanks.
A quiz programme will be conducted for students on Wednesday, followed by a healthy baby contest on Thursday. A debate on breastfeeding for nursing students and a skit would also be conducted.
On Friday, a breastfeeding awareness programme would be conducted along with an outreach programme of visiting PHCs and health sub-centres.