World Breastfeeding Week: BALCO Empowers Mothers Through Comprehensive Health Initiatives
Balconagar. Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a part of Vedanta Aluminium, commemorated World Breastfeeding Week 2024 with a comprehensive awareness campaign aimed at empowering pregnant and lactating women from the local community. In line with the global theme “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” the campaign addressed the benefits of breastfeeding, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of breast milk.
The sessions also highlighted the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, advanced caregiving techniques such as kangaroo care, and preparing women before childbirth to optimize breast milk flow. 500+ pregnant and lactating women attended the sessions to gain these insights.
The week-long initiative culminated in a significant event, to honor and support breastfeeding mothers, underscoring the critical role of family, community, and healthcare worker involvement in promoting and sustaining breastfeeding practices.
Highlighting the impact of such initiatives, Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director of BALCO, said, “Access to quality healthcare is central to our vision of creating a thriving community. Through initiatives like these, we strive to empower individuals with the right knowledge and skills needed to take care of themselves. By supporting maternal and child health, we are investing in the well-being of our communities, ensuring that every mother and child can lead a healthy and prosperous life.”
Sharing her experience, Renu Prakash, District Program Officer, Women and Child Development said, “A child’s nutrition is deeply connected to the mother’s well-being. In line with the women and child development goals, BALCO’s initiatives provide knowledge that empowers mothers to prioritize their own health, ensuring their children receive the nourishment they need. I trust that the participants will apply these learnings to care for themselves and their children more effectively.”
Rejina Linga, a beneficiary from the community speaking about the sessions, said “The Kangaroo Care method has been a revelation for me. Holding my baby skin-to-skin, as they taught us, has not only strengthened our bond but also contributed to my baby’s overall well-being. The guidance from these sessions has boosted my confidence as a mother, empowering me to taking care of my child properly.”
BALCO’s dedication to maternal and child health through its Arogya program and Nand Ghars, which are modernized Anganwadis for the development of women and children, aligns with its broader mission to promote socio-economic development and well-being in the communities it serves. Arogya offers comprehensive health care services, focusing on maternal and child health, malnutrition, anemia, and awareness on HIV, TB, and de-addiction. Nand Ghars, a collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), provides pre-school nutrition, education with a top-tier curriculum, digital learning tools, significantly boosting children’s cognitive development, attendance, and school readiness.
