The Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de Los Andes (IAHULA) in Mérida, Venezuela, recently expanded its maternal and infant health services by certifying new nutrition assistants and breastfeeding counselors. These professionals completed training through the Regional Coordination of Research and Education for Health (CRIES) and the “Heroínas de Mérida” initiative, programs designed to strengthen clinical nutrition and community-based lactation support within the state’s hospital network.
Strengthening Maternal and Infant Nutrition
The certification of new nutrition and dietetics assistants aims to improve the quality of clinical feeding services across the regional hospital system. According to the Venezuelan Ministry of Popular Power for Health (MPPS), these assistants are tasked with developing and implementing nutritional plans tailored to the specific physiological needs of patients. By professionalizing these roles, the IAHULA intends to reduce nutritional deficits in hospitalized populations and improve recovery outcomes for mothers and children.
The Role of Breastfeeding Counselors
The “Heroínas de Mérida” program has officially integrated a new cohort of breastfeeding counselors into the state’s public health infrastructure. These counselors provide direct education to mothers, focusing on the nutritional and immunological benefits of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The initiative functions as a peer-support model, intended to increase breastfeeding rates by addressing common barriers such as lack of information and community stigma.
Public Health Strategy in Mérida
The certification ceremony was led by José Gregorio Sayago, head of the State Department of Nutrition and the Breastfeeding Program, alongside Socorro Navas, coordinator of the “Heroínas de Mérida” plan. Officials emphasized that these training efforts are part of a broader regional policy directed by Cruz Lobo. This policy seeks to integrate preventive health services with hospital-based care to decrease infant mortality and promote long-term developmental health.
Key Facts on Breastfeeding Support
- Clinical Integration: Counselors work directly within the IAHULA network to bridge the gap between hospital care and community follow-up.
- Educational Focus: Training covers the management of lactation, nutritional assessment, and maternal health education.
- Strategic Alignment: The programs are part of the Venezuelan government’s ongoing effort to decentralize health education through regional CRIES coordination.
Why Professionalizing Community Health Matters
The integration of trained counselors into the public health system addresses a critical gap in maternal care. While hospital staff manage medical emergencies, community-based counselors provide the sustained support necessary for successful long-term breastfeeding. Evidence from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) suggests that peer counseling programs are highly effective at increasing the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, which serves as a primary defense against malnutrition and infectious diseases in infants. By formalizing these roles, the state of Mérida is moving toward a sustainable model of preventative care that relies on both clinical expertise and community-led health promotion.
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