AKUH launches nation’s first nurse-led lactation clinic

Addressing the dire need of help and support to mothers for breastfeeding their infants, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has launched the first of its kind lactation clinic. This clinic aims to empower and help mothers across Pakistan ensure their infants’ good health from the day they are born.

Under the joint collaboration of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM) and the Aga Khan University Hospital, the clinic will serve mothers through both in-person and tele-consultations. Women who require additional support to breastfeed their new-borns or need counselling on related topics such as returning to work while breastfeeding, can benefit from this programme.

The attendees of the launch ceremony included the leadership of AKU and AKUH, Shagufta Hassan, Interim CEO, AKUH, Dr. Asim Belgaumi, Chief Medical Officer, Salma Jaffer, Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Lumaan Sheikh, Chair, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Service Line Chief, Women’s Health, Dr. Salman Kirmani, Chair, Women and Child Health, and Dr. Rubina Barolia, Assistant Dean, SONAM.

“This is a very important service. Our trained nurses and physicians play a very important role in bringing forth this kind of integrated healthcare”, said Ms Hassan while addressing the attendees.

“Our aim is to make this support programme an academic opportunity as well, so that we can develop more lactation consultants for and beyond AKU”, said Dr Sheikh, while speaking on the importance of empowering women in Pakistan to breastfeed their children.