Kuala Belait - The wife of the Minister of Health, Datin Paduka Hjh Salmah binti Hj Hanifah launched the HAWA Breastfeeding Encouragement Group's 'Get-together Programme' in cooperation with the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital (SSB Hospital) yesterday, as guest of honour at a ceremony held at the hospital's multipurpose hall.

The programme is the first step of a HAWA strategic plan to address and encourage breastfeeding among mothers, particularly in the Belait District.

The co-chairperson of the event, Dyg Ernie Asyura binti Hassan in her opening remarks stated that the programme is a collaborative effort between HAWA and the SSB Hospital and will begin in January 2013, intended for working women who are around 28 weeks pregnant.

Seven activities will be conducted over a duration of seven months.

Some of the activities include breastfeeding lessons; talks on a healthy diet; as well as follow-up visits to participants' residences after they give birth.

To coincide with the launching ceremony, the guest of honour also presented a programme book ,to the heads of the Maternal and Child Health Clinics of SSBH, Seria, Sungai Liang, and the Labi Health Clinic.

A forum was also held based on the topic, `Strengthening Awareness on Breastfeeding Practices Among the Public'.

The forum was facilitated by Dyg Hajijah binti Harris along with a panel of four speakers - Senior Medical Officer at the Belait Health Department, Dr Maimunah binti Hj Mokim; the Head of the Teaching Section at the Islamic Dakwah Centre, Ustazah Hjh Rogayah binti BPKDP Hj Abdul Wahid; the Acting Nursing Officer, Dyg Siti Halimah binti Md Tahir; as well as a mother and breastfeeding advocate, Dyg Kartina binti Abdul Kadir.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin