Breastfeeding Week celebration in Tursunzoda, Tajikistan

August 4, 2016. Tursunzoda, Republic of Tajikistan

The exhilarating “Breastfeeding Day Jubilee” was held at the Center of Tursunzoda district, the Republic of Tajikistan in celebration of international breastfeeding week. The close collaboration between local authorities and the Maternal and Child Health Project, funded by Save the Children Korea, contributed to the event’s success. Breastfeeding practices, simulating real Tajik daily life, were demonstrated by women (30) and children (10) through informative role-play, song, drawing and dance.

The senior expert from the MCH Department of the MoHSPP (Ministry of health and social protection of population), Mr. Ziyoev Rahimkul, expressed gratitude to Save the Children International for their valuable contribution to the improvement of maternal and child health services. He reported that the multi-sectoral approach (including educational materials (brochures, leaflets) for adolescents, training and education sessions for rural women, Safe motherhood and IMCI TOTs for health workers and a means of upgrading and provision of medical equipment and furniture for health houses) will undoubtedly result in appreciable impact. Furthermore, he emphasized that “Since obstetricians are the key actors to ensure healthy reproductive life in the republic, provision of midwife kits is an indispensable aspect of the MCH project”.

Stressing the uniqueness of the 2 year project which targets 60 villages, the Head of Department for work with women and family at Tursunzoda district local Government, Ms. Umeda Negmatullaeva spoke of the gratitude felt by the Tursunzoda district residents for the impeccable services the SCI project is offering local mothers and babies. She went on to clarify that especially since there are no other MCH projects within the district, she hopes fruitful relations and brilliant project successes continue.

The schoolchildren from target communities described the key MCH messages through song and speeches to the audience of more than hundred. The children emphasized the significant role they can play in dissemination of this important information among peers at schools and during other social undertakings. Health workers from the district PHC explained the ten steps of proper breastfeeding.

Head of Tursunzoda Healthy Life Style Center, Mr. Usmanov Vohidjon enjoyed the show and shared information about other joint ventures the HLSC has with Save the Children. He mentioned that HLSC specialists were obliged to be involved in the preparation and implementation of community health campaigns, training and education sessions and stated that this linkage is an essential aspect of sustainability. Proudly mentioning his collaborative efforts with past Save the Children health projects, Mr. Vohidjon stressed the importance of the SCI projects’ role in prevention and reduction of diseases aimed at alleviation of maternal and child mortality in the region.

 At the end of the event, all presenters received gifts and left in high spirits with long-kept memories.