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| ELCA (THE EGYPTIAN LACTATION CONSULTANTS’ ASSOCIATION) |
Was announced in 2004 as an official body embracing the vision and work of the Egyptian health workers in the field of maternal and child health who have the International Board Certificate of Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).
ELCA is social-medical medical group that sustainthe Healthcare concept in the community with its fundamental orientation on child nutrition and a principal focus on the Exclusive Breastfeeding Model for the first six months of the newborn life...
ELCA, through its compassionate orientation, derides all kinds of discrimination inclusive of but not limited to, race gender, faiths, beliefs, or political inclination. |
| What is the background? |
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Annually 4-5 million children can be saved by breastfeeding. Supporting mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies especially when sick or with a problem requires skilled personnel in the field of lactation management. |
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The WHO/UNICEF Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding calls for the importance of preparing certified specialists in the field of infant feeding (55th WHA, 2002). |
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They have developed training programs for infant nutrition and women reproductive health and nutrition. |
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The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) has gained recognition as the unique organization offering certification for lactation consultants worldwide. |
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International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are health care providers who, by meeting eligibility requirements and by passing an independent examination, possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide quality breastfeeding assistance to babies and mothers. |
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In Egypt, the exam has been held for the first time in 2002. From then on, the Egyptian IBCLCs have been voluntarily working on many activities for the promotion of breastfeeding. |
| Medical Care Service. |
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The first IBCLC- established clinic in Egypt in February 2003 in the Center of Social and Preventive Medicine, CairoUniversityHospitals. |
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It receives referrals from other clinics serving mother infant dyads using a problem-solving approach aimed at establishing exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months of life. |
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Two standard sheets were developed for data recording and follow up. |
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Protocols were developed for commonly encountered cases such as re-lactation, nipple confusion, and counseling working mothers. |
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The clinic has been providing clinical training for the International Board of Lactation Consultants Exam (IBLCE) candidates for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. |
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Provides training and lactation management knowledge for the candidates of The Master’s Degree in Pediatrics and community medicine as well as the students of nursing school of Cairo University. |
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The clinic also hosts research studies conducted by medical & non medical researchers from different universities. |
| Educational Work. |
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The Certificate Program in Lactation Management has been conducted by ELCA members after it has been officially announced for applicants of the IBLCE exams of 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 where success rates where (91.7%) in 2004, up to (94%) in 2008. |
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(ELCA) has also conducted a professional certificate education program in 'Management Maternal and Child Health Care Services' in collaboration with the Center for Adult Continued Education (CACE) in the American University in Cairo (AUC) in 2006 in the CSPM. |
| Research Work. |
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ELCA members conducted supervised and shared in many research studies conducted by medical & non medical researchers from different universities. |
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ELCA has conducted the baseline survey for assessing the status of predesignated baby friendly hospitals in Egypt covered 70 health facilities 12 governorates, facilitated by MCH/MOHP and funded by UNICEF/ECO. |
| Training Activities. |
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ELCA conducted training courses by IBCLCs for the social services' staff and nursing staff of Cairo University Hospitals which took place in the CSPM (January 2004). |
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Training rounds for house officers and young doctors on lactation management. |
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Training tours on BFHI in various governorates with the contribution of international experts in April and November-December 2007. |
| Scientific Events. |
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The first ELCA conference on 29 th June 2006 to 1st July 2006 where the first 2 days activities took place in the Nile Hilton Hotel followed by a one day workshop on the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes presented by IBFAN in the CSPM. |
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ELCA actively participated in the discussions and work groups of the 2 day workshop on the National Breastfeeding Program jointly organized by Ministry of Health and Population, Arab Republic of Egypt, and the UNICEF in July 2007 in Port Saeed Egypt. |
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ELCA organized the workshop on Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative revival alongside the Pediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology, and Nutrition Conference in Sharm El Shaikh in October 2007. |
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Participation in the Ismailia workshops and celebration organized by IBFAN on the occasion of the International Child Rights’ Day 20-23 November 2008 and was awarded the Ismailia Medal. |
| Socio Cultural activities. |
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ELCA actively participated in the actions of the international week of breast feeding (1-7 August, 2004) by a seminar, interactive sessions with mothers and TV and radio talks of ELCA members. |
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Also many TV interviews on lactation took place in the clinic and CSPM on different occasions. |
| International Collaboration. |
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ELCA has strong international collaborations with healthy Children Project USA. |
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ELCA is also a member of VELB (European Lactation Consultant Association) and IBFAN (International Baby Food Action Network). |
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