This Friday, Ramón Ortuño Street hosted the opening of World Breastfeeding Week in the eastern Cuban province of Las Tunas. Dr. Osmara López Borrero, Head of the Maternal and Child Program (PAMI) in the province, along with other health sector authorities, pregnant women, and residents, attended the event.

In conversation with 26, López Borrero expressed that “This year we are starting the event differently, getting closer to the community, where grandparents, children, pregnant women, and so on are present… Our 11 maternity homes are also opening their doors to greet this week in each municipality.”

A drawing contest related to breastfeeding was held; infants expressed different facets of this loving act through colors and imagination.

Psychologist Xiomara Mercantete, with outstanding work in health prevention, led the activity, hosted by CDR 7 in People's Council 1. She offered arguments that demonstrate why “breastfeeding is loving.” Meanwhile, Tania Quiñones, a Family Medicine specialist and doctor in Clinic 3, belonging to the Manuel Piti Fajardo Polyclinic, shared other knowledge on the topic.

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Also, a baby bottle was symbolically buried to emphasize breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition during the first six months of life, as breast milk is considerably healthier.

World Breastfeeding Week reaffirms the importance of raising awareness on the issue, in line with the rights of children to enjoy what specialists say is the first natural vaccine against disease, as it strengthens their immune system. For mothers, it is equally beneficial, as it prevents breast cancer and strengthens the essential mother-child bond.