Corniche Hospital celebrates National Breastfeeding Week

Abu Dhabi 14th November, 2013:  Corniche Hospital hosted a week-long celebration dedicated to National Breastfeeding Week from 10 to 14 November. The theme of this year's celebration, "Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers," focused on raising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and demonstrating the hospital's  commitment to delivering exceptional health care to women and newborns in Abu Dhabi and the region.

The event, which has now become a tradition, marks the seventh year of the hospital's awareness initiatives to educate women about the importance of breastfeeding.

Dr. Mariam Al Mazrouei, Deputy CEO of Corniche Hospital, said that the event sent across a powerful message to new mothers in Abu Dhabi.

“Corniche Hospital is a baby-friendly hospital which religiously follows the 10 steps identified by WHO/ UNICEF. Through initiatives such as the Parent Education Center and the Breastfeeding Support Group, Corniche Hospital provides an optimal level of care and information for mothers and their babies and builds the foundation of good health for our future generation,” Dr. Mazrouei said.

She mentioned that, as the largest maternity hospital in the UAE with more than 8,000 births per year, Corniche Hospital maintains an exclusive breastfeeding rate of more than 75percent at the time of discharge from the hospital. New mothers are encouraged to continue to breastfeed for a longer time under the guidance of the hospital's Breastfeeding Clinics and Support Group, added Dr. Mazrouei.

The Corniche Breastfeeding Week program kicked off on 10 November with the Mother-to-Mother Support Group tea party at the capital's Country Club for a group of 100 mothers and their families. The celebration honored the mothers who chose to breastfeed and provided them a stage to share their experiences. The event also hosted a photography contest focused on the event's theme.

The second day of the event saw around 100 patients, mothers, hospital staff and their family members participating in the ceremonial Breastfeeding Week Walk from Corniche Hospital to Marina Mall on 11 November. The group held placards and shared slogans with the public as they walked the long distance. 

“During the week, the Lactation Consultants played a vital role in promoting the benefits of breastfeeding and offered education sessions for the young women and moms-to-be at the Higher Colleges of Technology, Khalifa City A campus,” said Sheri Watkins—Corniche Hospital's Director of Nursing and Midwifery.  “In addition, quizzes about breastfeeding for patients and hospital staff were held in the hospital's outpatient areas. Baby suits with the message ‘Breastfeeding-The Health of the Nation' were distributed to all newborns. This annual event is free and open to all Corniche Hospital's mothers and their families, and we are very pleased with the wonderful response the event has received.”

Corniche Hospital is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and is managed by Johns Hopkins Medicine International in Baltimore, USA.