Oguljahan Atabayeva: Our Goal Is to Build a Healthy Society Through Education and Support for Mothers

ArmInfo. Oguljahan Atabayeva, Vice President for Medical Activities of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, put forward a number of initiatives during the National High-Level Round Table. The forum was jointly organized by the Charitable Foundation and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Office in Turkmenistan.

The central focus of her address was the need to provide women with high-quality guidance and practical support at every stage of motherhood—from pregnancy and childbirth to the postnatal period.

"Investing in breastfeeding is an investment in the future of the nation. Supporting breastfeeding strengthens children's protection, improves their nutrition, and promotes their healthy development. It also enhances mothers' health, reduces healthcare costs, and makes a significant contribution to building a healthy society," emphasized Oguljahan Atabayeva.

In this regard, the Foundation's Vice President stressed the importance of developing concrete measures to strengthen and expand breastfeeding support systems.

Among the practical initiatives proposed was the establishment of peer-to-peer counseling programs involving experienced local mothers. According to the speaker, the systematic training of such community volunteers throughout all regions of the country could be carried out by highly qualified nurses and lactation specialists.

In addition, Oguljahan Atabayeva proposed launching a large-scale public information campaign with the participation of the mass media. The initiative aims to raise public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and to encourage local businesses to create breastfeeding-friendly conditions for nursing mothers in the workplace.

"Achieving these goals requires strong commitment and dedication. Let us work together for the well-being of our children, which begins with a mother's milk," concluded the Vice President of the Charitable Foundation.