I am writing to share my recent experience at a public clinic in Sengkurong, which left me with concern and disappointment.
During my child’s first-year check-up early this week, a nurse at the clinic made a comment about my child’s weight. As someone who has tried various methods to address the issue, the commentary came across as judgemental.
Additionally, when I brought up that I was still breastfeeding my child on top of solid food, the nurse looked surprised and urged me to switch to baby formula. I found the advice in contrast with the recommendations from our own health authority as well as the World Health Organization, who advocate breastfeeding for two years and beyond. This conflicting information puzzled me, especially given its well-established benefits for children past the age of one.
The nurse’s suggestion, based on a presumed “medical” perspective, made me wonder about the accuracy of information provided by healthcare professionals. It wasn’t the first time I had received such health advice from the medical staff at the clinic, and these experiences have left me hesitant to speak up. Nonetheless, it has sparked concerns about the reliability of their advice.
I thus urge the health authority to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and provide these healthcare professional with training on patient care and updates on health information.
Breastfeeding Mother
