(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
SHARJAH, 27th December, 2017 (WAM) -- The Sharjah Baby-Friendly Office, SBFO, recently organised two training workshops for medical personnel at Khorfakkan Hospital and Sharjah Parents Council to improve breastfeeding practices in the emirate by equipping health facilities and institutions dealing with mothers and infants.
The workshops targeting nurses at nurseries affiliated to the Sharjah Education Council and medical staff at healthcare centres form part of SBFO's continued efforts to establish Sharjah as a child-friendly city. They also further the accomplishments of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Campaign, SBFC, which led to recognising Sharjah as a Baby-Friendly City in December 2015 by the United Nations.
Held at Khorfakkan Hospital from December 18th-21st, the first workshop was attended by 50 medical professionals in paediatrics and women's health. It disseminated the knowledge and practical training required for them to be able to offer more culturally sensitive support and information to mothers, helping them not only to learn how to breastfeed their babies but to ultimately enable the local community to accept it as a necessary and healthy social practice.
The 20-hour course is certified by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
The second workshop, which was held in co-operation with the Sharjah Education Council, took place from December 24th-27th. It featured awareness lectures and training for 35 nurses at nurseries under the council and medical staff from healthcare centres across the emirate. The attendees were trained in compliance with the latest medical expertise in the field of breastfeeding and general healthcare for women and children.
Dr. Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal, Executive Director of SBFO, said, "The training courses aim to promote awareness about the importance of breastfeeding at the very roots. Therefore, they focussed on equipping medical professionals, who work with mothers and babies. It is crucial that citizens and residents are fully aware of the importance of this practice in ensuring the health and wellness of both mother and child, and as a society, we denounce all beliefs and behaviours that prevent it."
The workshops were organised by SBFC as part the Baby-Friendly Health Facilities' initiative adopted by Sharjah within the "Baby-Friendly Hospital" initiative launched by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF. They also complement the three community initiatives that targeted establishments and community members to support and encourage breastfeeding, including Mother and Baby-Friendly Public Places, Mother-Friendly Establishments, and Breastfeeding-Friendly Nurseries.
WAM/Rola Alghoul/MOHD AAMIR
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