All-round health of mother, child vital, says Bodour

The Breastfeeding Friends Association of the Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) in Sharjah is celebrating the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2021 from August 1 – 7, with an array of informative programmes designed to raise awareness about breastfeeding and address the importance of maintaining the physical and emotional health of both mother and child.

The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is ‘Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility’.

Organised in collaboration with the ‘Health Mates Society’ in Bahrain, the scheduled agenda of programmes includes a series of virtual educational lectures and seminars presented by a host of experts and health consultants encompassing different topics, including ‘Motherhood and Staying in Shape’. A competition will also be organised during the week on FBA’s social media platforms. In addition, educational material about the World Breastfeeding Week and its objectives and mission will be made available.

Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Honorary President of Friends of Breastfeeding Association, said: “World Breastfeeding Week is an opportunity to renew our commitment to creating a more supportive culture of breastfeeding to safeguard the health and wellbeing of children as well as enhancing Sharjah’s position as a child friendly city. This occasion is an ideal platform for both individuals and organisations to play their part in supporting best practices that encourage breastfeeding and raise awareness of its vital role in protecting and improving community health.”

“Sharjah’s efforts to promote breastfeeding are in line with the wise vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to invest in the development of human capital as the most valuable asset. We aspire to continue our journey under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of SCFA, to improve the physical and emotional health of mothers and children and provide the young ones with a good start for a brighter and healthier future,” Sheikha Bodour added.

Eng. Khawla Abdel Aziz Al Noman, Head of the Friends of Breastfeeding Association, noted that the World Breastfeeding Week is one of the most keenly awaited annual events that the association participates in, and which serves as a platform for the launch of educational campaigns and initiatives.

Al Noman highlighted the role of awareness and guidance activities in promoting breastfeeding and educating mothers about its benefits. She pointed out that apart from meeting the nutritional needs of a newborn baby, breast milk also boosts immunity and offers protection against infections in children. The practice is equally beneficial for mothers as it helps in healing and regaining health following childbirth while lowering the risk of several non-communicable diseases.

Awareness campaigns launched across the UAE aim to build a healthier community free of chronic diseases, added Al Noman.

Last year, under the theme “20 Years of Giving and the march continues”, the Friends of Breastfeeding Association of the Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah organised a virtual ceremony on the 20th anniversary of its establishment.

The event was attended by Dr. Khawla Al Mulla, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, SCFA, Khawla Al Noman, Head of Breastfeeding Friends Association, a number of directors and employees of government institutions in the emirate, representatives of sponsors and supporters, volunteers, representatives of the media, and a crowd of mothers.

In her remarks, Khawla Al Noman said: “This year’s slogan reaffirms our commitment to continue our ongoing efforts to get through all the challenges and make further achievements, inspired by the wise vision and directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, to make the sons and daughters of the UAE healthier and happier.”