 According to the World Health Organization, quote, many countries have made significant progress to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates. Yet, even greater progress is possible when breastfeeding is protected and supported, particularly in the workplace, end quote. World Breastfeeding Week runs from August 1st to the 7th. However, for St. Lucia, breastfeeding is important enough to stretch the observance over an entire month. This year's theme is enabling breastfeeding, making a difference for working parents. The idea behind the theme is to foster more support for working, losing mothers, thus improving the progress of breastfeeding rates globally. Mistress of Ceremonies, Shalene Duncan, says St. Lucia is no stranger to the annual observance. During the month of August, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs has embarked on a series of workshops for its clients. And this one is one of many. Expected mothers of the South and their partners attended a workshop put on by officials from the Viewfort Wellness Center. The session included presentations, demonstrations and participation by the attendees. Assistant Principal Nursing Officer, Bernadette Rages, in her presentation, noted a list of benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child. We hope that this awareness allows for working mothers to express their breast milk at their various workplaces and have a suitable fridge where it is stored. According to the World Health Organization, just about 20 countries require employers to provide employees with paid breaks and facilities for breastfeeding and expressing milk. Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sharon Belma George, brought to light further struggles of employed nursing mothers. Internal employment without adequate support is one of the serious barriers to successful breastfeeding. Work-related issues are a major reason why mothers do not initiate breastfeeding or they win their babies a lot sooner. So it's important for us to have public policies to support mothers, to effectively enforce their choice to optimally breastfeed. According to nutritionist Francilia Joseph, a mother's nutrition during the lactating period is very important. We're saying to you, eat whole foods, not even for the baby, but for yourself as well. Because in order for you to have a healthy baby, you need to give the baby the nutrients that the baby needs in order for the baby to grow, the way that he or she's supposed to grow. And in order for you two to be able to produce enough milk. Health Minister Moses Jabati says his ministry has already begun providing maternal care through universal health coverage phase one. Providing further support for nursing mothers, he says, is the next conversation. I will go back to the cabinet of ministers and to the prime minister to say to him that since we have delivered this one, now we have to work on the workplace space in the workplaces for breastfeeding. I think we need to... Charity begins at home, they say. And therefore we will have to... We will have to find out whether there is space, whether we can start with our own ministry. The workshop discussed other maternal topics such as proper latching and positioning techniques, expression of breast milk, and breastfeeding support. For the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and elderly affairs, I am Sant Justin.