Sharjah 24: The Breastfeeding Friends Association, of the Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, concluded, on Thursday, June 6, the activities of the seventeenth session of the “Breastfeeding Guides” programme, which was held in Arabic and English, with the participation of 17 trainees of working mothers, housewives and those interested in breastfeeding from different nationalities. The programme, which was launched in early May, for 12 days, will be followed by 15 hours of practical training in hospitals and healthcare centres.

Fawzia Mahmoud Al Amiri, Treasurer of the Association started the programme with a welcome speech on behalf of Eng. Khawla Abdel Aziz Al Numan, Head of the Breastfeeding Friends Association, whereas she welcomed the programme participants, praising the role they will play after concluding the programme. 

She added that the participants will become ambassadors and pioneers of the Association, which will contribute significantly to achieving its goals supporting and encouraging breastfeeding. Al Amiri stated that the programme will qualify a group of female guides who will contribute to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding to help mothers maintain their children health, hence, the safety of their society. She confirmed that a healthy and sustainable society will achieve the visions and directives of the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, in strengthening Sharjah’s position as a healthy and friendly city for children and adolescents, as well as all cities in the UAE.

She added that the Association, through its annual programmes and initiatives, focuses on awareness, educational and training aspects together, to educate the community about the importance of breastfeeding from the religious and psychological aspects. Moreover, to educate mothers about the multiple benefits found in breast milk that contribute to improving the general and psychological health of the mother, and reducing weight after birth, as well as reducing problems related to osteoporosis, uterine and breast cancer, and obesity in the future, as well as the benefits reflected on the child in strengthening immunity and growth, especially strengthening child mental ability and intelligence.

In conclusion, she called on the trainees to benefit from the programme in both its theoretical and practical aspects, hoping that volunteering with the Association would later be a useful and meaningful experience.