Issued by: Dr. P Jagadeeshwar Rao, District Medical Health Officer,

Visakhapatnam.Indian News Times:Today, i.e. 04-08-2026, on the occasion of Asha Day, regarding Breastfeeding Week in PHCs and UPHCs, District Medical Health Officer Dr. P Jagadeeshwar Rao attended the Breastfeeding Week program at PHC Anandapuram, Anantapur Mandal as the chief guest today. Speaking, he informed that giving murre milk to newborn babies will keep them healthy for a week. He informed that exclusive breastfeeding should be given from birth till six months and then breastfeeding should be given along with complementary foods.

 He said that this will create a bond between the mother and the child and this will also reduce infant mortality, and that regular breastfeeding will also keep the mother healthy.  He instructed the medical staff, ICDS staff and program officers, ANMs and Ashalas to bring complete awareness on breastfeeding. He instructed pregnant women to be made aware of the PMSMA program in the program held on the 9th of every month. He informed that this program will be successful if awareness is created from three months as soon as it is known that a pregnant woman is pregnant. He advised that during the rainy season, special attention should be paid to ensuring that there are no places where water stagnates, and that appropriate measures should be taken to prevent the growth of larvae by laying mosquito eggs. He advised that fever should be conducted as part of home visits, fever sufferers should be identified and treated immediately, and if necessary, they should be referred to the PHC for further testing and treatment. He further instructed that 15% pass surveillance should be conducted from the OPD and at least 25 to 30 active surveillance should be conducted by each ANM.  The medical officers suggested that a review be conducted with the staff on the NVBDCP program.

The program was attended by District Immunization Officer Dr. Lucy Cardi Alia, District Program Officer Dr. B Umavati, and Program Officers Doctors Primary Health Center Doctors Dr. Sabina Bhanu Sadiya Dr. Shahnaz Pal Sadhya District ASHA Coordinator Manikumar and Assistant Malaria Officer Tuvanti Nagabhushanam.

District Medical Health Officer,
Visakhapatnam.