The week-long activities were as follows:

1. Community Awareness Program: An interview with Mrs. Susheela P, ANS, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, was broadcast on FM Radio on August 1, 2024, and aired again on August 2 and 3, 2024.

2. Poster Competition: A poster competition was held for staff and students of MAHE. A total of 22 posters were submitted on the theme, with the top two posters receiving awards.

3. Webinar: On August 3, 2024, a webinar was conducted via Microsoft Teams on the theme, led by Dr. Omesh Khurana, Professor and HOD of Paediatrics at CCM Govt Medical College, Chhattisgarh, and National Trainer for IYCF (BPNI). The session was attended by 132 medical and nursing staff and students.

4. Social Media Awareness: On August 5, 2024, Dr. Shruthi Bharadhwaj, Assistant Professor, Department of Neonatology, KMC, Manipal, led a social media awareness program on YouTube about the theme and the importance of breast milk banks for newborn health.

5. Staff Nurses and Students Program at Dr. TMA Pai Rotary Hospital, Karkala: An awareness program was conducted by Dr. Mamatha Shivananda Pai, Professor, Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, Manipal, on August 5, 2024. No. of beneficiaries - 30

6. Staff Nurses Program at Dr. TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi: An awareness program was held by Mrs. Anusuya V. Prabhu, Asst. Professor (Sr. Scale) Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, Manipal, on August 6, 2024. No. of beneficiaries - 28

7. Quiz Competition: A quiz competition on the theme was held for paediatric postgraduates in the NICU classroom at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, on August 6, 2024. Dr. Subhodh Shetty, Associate Professor, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Assistant Professor, Department of Neonatology, KMC, Manipal moderated the quiz.

8. Awareness Program for Nursing Students: On August 7, 2024, an awareness program for BSc, P.B.BSc, and Diploma nursing students was conducted by Dr. Binu Margaret, Dr. Sangeetha P, Dr. Anjalin D’Souza, Asst. Professors (Selection Grade) and Mrs. Sheela Shetty, Asst. Professor (Sr. Scale) Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, Manipal. No. of beneficiaries -98

9. Caregivers Program: An awareness program for caregivers of antenatal and postnatal mothers, as well as BSc nursing students, on the initiation of breastfeeding, its importance, weaning, and infection prevention among neonates, was conducted by Mrs. Anusuya V. Prabhu, Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) in the Department of Child Health Nursing at MCON, MAHE, Manipal.

Valedictory Program: The valedictory program was held on August 7, 2024, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM in the pediatric seminar classroom. The event began with an invocation by Mrs. Manjula, Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health Nursing at MCON, MAHE, Manipal. Dr. Shruthi Bharadhwaj, Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) in the Department of Neonatology at KMC, welcomed the gathering.

Mrs. Anusuya V. Prabhu, Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) in the Department of Child Health Nursing at MCON, MAHE, Manipal, presented an overview of the week-long activities conducted on the World Breastfeeding Week theme.

The program was inaugurated by Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent at KH, MAHE, Manipal, who addressed the participants with inspiring words on the World Breastfeeding Week theme. He emphasized the importance of healthcare professionals encouraging and advising mothers to exclusively breastfeed their newborns for up to 6 months. However, he noted that the goal is still not being fully achieved. Dr. Shetty stressed the need for increased awareness of lactation among mothers at the grassroots level to prevent health-related issues like malnutrition.

He also distributed prizes to the winners of the poster and quiz competitions held as part of Breastfeeding Week.

Dr. Leslie Lewis, Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatrics, discussed complications during pregnancy and the postnatal period, such as preterm delivery, retracted and flat nipples, which pose challenges to breastfeeding. Despite education on the benefits of breastfeeding, many parents still opt for powdered milk. Dr. Lewis emphasized the need for continued awareness and follow-up to maintain breastfeeding practices.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Baby S. Nayak, Professor and Head of the Department of Child Health Nursing at MCON, MAHE. The event concluded at 4:45 p.m.

The Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Udupi Branch, supported the program.

The Master of Ceremonies was Mrs. Remya UR, Ph.D. Scholar at MCON, MAHE, Manipal.

Winners of the Poster competition

I Prize: Sixth semester BSc nursing students, MCON, MAHE, Manipal

Ms Deepthi & Ms Shravya Chacko

II Prize: NPCC staff, KH, Manipal

Ms Anushree Naik & Ms Jyothi

Winners of the Quiz competition

Dr Spandana P & Dr Priyanka Palanivelan