by Ministry of Health

CHIEF NUTRITIONIST LISA HUNT, IN HER WELCOME ADDRESS, REAFFIRMED THE MINISTRY’S COMMITMENT….

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition officially launched Breastfeeding Awareness  Month with an opening ceremony at the Micoud Secondary School, bringing together healthcare  professionals, mothers, and community members to reaffirm the importance of breastfeeding in  giving every child the best possible start in life. Held under the theme, “Breastfeeding for a  Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” the ceremony highlighted the shared  responsibility of creating an environment where mothers feel informed, empowered, and  supported to breastfeed successfully.

Chief Nutritionist Lisa Hunt, in her welcome address, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to  strengthening breastfeeding support. “Successful breastfeeding is not solely the responsibility of  mothers. It requires a collective support of families, healthcare providers,  employers, communities, and the policy makers. Every mother deserves accurate, evidence 

based information about breastfeeding, skilled guidance from trained health professionals and  a supportive environment that enables her to breastfeed with confidence and dignity. Here in  St. Lucia, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Nutrition remains committed to promoting,  protecting, and supporting breastfeeding through evidence-based policies, baby-friendly  initiatives, healthcare worker training, community education, and partnerships with national  and regional stakeholders.” 

District Medical Officer, Dr. Aaron Adjodha encouraged families to embrace breastfeeding,  highlighting its far-reaching benefits. “I just want to encourage us to continue to  encourage our patients, our families to breastfeed. My recommendation as a father is to  ensure that in the benefits of breastfeeding that we add that there is benefits for the father as  well, benefits for the soul, economic benefits, benefits for the relationship, health benefits as  well, okay. Because it keeps you at peace, it keeps you in love, it keeps you your mind at a state  of emotional stability.” 

Minister for Health, Wellness and Nutrition, Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste, commended healthcare  workers for their ongoing advocacy in breastfeeding support. “I want to applaud the staff for  keeping this awareness going year after year and our government is aware that diet and good  nutrition is essential for good health. It has to be part of the package of initiatives that must  be supported in order for us to have this one health that we’re talking about. That it’s not just 

the medications and the doctor’s advice and the nurse advice and the health aids and so  on, but diet and nutrition must really continue to take center stage.” 

Throughout Breastfeeding Awareness Month, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition  will continue to promote education and awareness on breastfeeding, and encourage families,  workplaces and communities to create supportive environments that enable mothers to breastfeed  successfully.