Vision A Bahamas in which all mothers are enabled to practice breastfeeding exclusively for at least 6 months.
Mission To assist clients in practicing successful and sustained breastfeeding through health education and promotion efforts.
Overview In 1993, recognising the association between breastfeeding and a reduction in infant illness and death, the Ministry of Health commenced a series of activities to strengthen breastfeeding practices. Three senior nurses (2 from New Providence and 1 from Grand Bahama) participated in a Lactation Managers “Train the trainer” course in Bridgetown, Barbados. These trainers, in turn, trained other staff in an 18 hours Lactation Management Course, designed by WHO and UNICEF.
A National Breastfeeding Co-ordinator was also appointed and a committee was formed.
Breastfeeding classes and counselling are now offered at all Community Health Clinics where antenatal clients are seen. Breastfeeding classes are offered in group settings to all first time mothers, while clients with 1 or more children, are counselled on an individual basis.<<see more>>
Contact Us
Poncianna Hill Building, Meeting Street
The Department of Public Health
P. O. Box N-3730
Nassau, The Bahamas
Telephone: 502-4835, Fax: 502-4874
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