Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Campaign Redoubles Its Awareness Drive Through Educational Seminar

48.1% of UAE babies are on artificial formula

An alarming new study has revealed that 48.1% of UAE babies aged 3-6 months are fed milk formula . This sobering statistic injects added urgency into the need to publicize the side-effects of artificial formula, and spread awareness at all medical centers that interface with pregnant and nursing women.

In response, the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Campaign sprang into action by holding an educational seminar on "Baby-Friendly Health Facilities". Several representatives from various health institutions attended, and it is anticipated that they will enlighten their colleagues who will in turn educate pregnant women. The overall goal is to reinforce the breastfeeding concept to as many institutions and women as possible, particularly working women.

Among the participants were prominent breastfeeding specialists from Kalba Health Center, Enjab Hospital, University Hospital of Sharjah, Kuwaiti Hospital, Dhaid Hospital, Khorfakkan Hospital and Zulekha Hospital. They tackled an array of issues including the challenges of transforming institutions into “Baby-Friendly Health Facilities”.

Furthermore, attendees discussed the standards that must be adopted by health facilities to attain the status of “baby-friendly” accreditation. They were in agreement regarding the importance of awareness campaigns, and distributing educational publications with baby-friendly tips and reader-friendly instructions, with emphasis on women who exclusively rely on formula to feed their babies.

Dr Kamini Nike, a breastfeeding expert, stressed that, “Hospital staff are crucial allies in this campaign, because women trust them as credible authority figures and sources of reliable information.” Dr Khawla Salman, National Coordinator of the Breastfeeding and Baby-Friendly Health Facilities initiative, concurred by reiterating the benefits of breastfeeding and added, “It is heart-warming to note that the institutions gathered here have expressed their willingness to adopt the ten and seven steps recommended by WHO and UNICEF respectively, to become baby-friendly.”

Eman Rashid, Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Campaign, summed up the proceedings by observing that: “Since the start of our campaign, we have sought to publicize the benefits of breastfeeding. We are keen to meet all relevant parties such as health experts and representatives from medical institutions to discuss these crucial issues. We have praised the vital role played by these institutions in raising awareness on breastfeeding, and today we met them to discuss ways to implement our strategy on the ground.”

The Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign was initiated under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Budoor bint Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), President of the Campaign and Honorary President of the Breastfeeding Friends Association. The campaign encompasses four initiatives: Breastfeeding-Friendly Nurseries, Mother and Baby-Friendly Public Places, Mother-Friendly Workplaces and Baby-Friendly Health Facilities.

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