Sharjah declared first baby-friendly place in the world

Children with placards pose with officials during the Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign on Wednesday. - Photo by M. Sajjad

A campaign launched in Sharjah four years ago yielded results, making it the world's first baby-friendly city.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, on Wednesday announced Sharjah as the 'Baby-Friendly Emirate' during a ceremony held at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre to reveal the results of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Campaign (SBFC).
Sharjah is now home to 140 baby-friendly establishments, raising the number of mother-friendly workplaces from zero to 82, since the launch of the campaign in 2011.
The facilities, from both private and public sector received baby-friendly accreditation during the ceremony.
The campaign now offers 18 mother and baby-friendly public places, while baby-friendly nurseries have risen from zero to 28 and baby-friendly health facilities from two to 12.
A short video highlighted the progress of the SBFC since its beginning.
The film highlighted the results of breastfeeding campaign rates in the emirate, which has increased from 18per cent to 40 per cent.
Sharjah is close to achieving the global target of reaching 60 per cent by 2021. The rate of formula-fed babies dropped from 67 per cent before the campaign to 36 per cent by the end of this year.
The campaign themed "A True Beginning for a Better Future" aimed at cultivating breastfeeding culture and take it beyond the four walls of home to healthcare facilities, workplaces, daycare centres, nurseries, and even public places.
Addressing the ceremony, Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, said: "The campaign supports the efforts undertaken by the enlightened leadership that resulted in having nurseries at all government departments and bodies, public places and facilities and hospitals. This helps achieve the psychological and emotional stability of children and mothers and families in general."
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