The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed 1-7 August, 2012, as the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW). It is intended to reiterate the importance of breastfeeding, and the pivotal necessity of supporting it throughout the world. It seeks, also, to trace the results and achievements of the efforts aiming to encourage breastfeeding all over the world.
The Saudi Ministry of Health, for its part, has been paying close attention to the Breastfeeding program since 1411 H, emanating from maternal and child care, and its keen interest in improving the health status of mothers and newborns.
Breastfeeding in KSA:
In 2004/1425 H:
The trading system of breast-milk substitutes was launched under the Royal Decree No 49/m, dated 4/11/2004.
In 2007/1428 H:
The regulation of the trading system of breast-milk substitutes was issued under the ministerial decision no. 12/1/77185, dated 27/8/2007.
In 2010/1431 H:
The number of children's friend health institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia mounted to 49 institutions.
Internationally Approved Date: 1-7 August, 2012.
Locally Approved Date: 13-19 Ramadan, 1433 H.
Theme of the World Breastfeeding Week 2012:
“Breastfeeding: Understanding the Past .. Planning the Future”
Celebrating 10 years of WHO/UNICEF's Global Strategy
for Infant and Young Child Feeding.
Targeted Groups:
- Pregnants.
- Mothers who have recently given birth.
- Premature infants.
- Maternity and children hospitals.
- Health workers (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, health educationists, etc.)
- Education workers (teachers, social workers, etc.)
- Health decision makers.
- Health societies and organizations.
The public.
Health Messages of the World Breastfeeding Week 2012:
- To recall what has happened in the past 20 years on infant and young child feeding (IYCF).
- To celebrate successes and achievements nationally, regionally and globally and showcase national work at global level.
- To assess the status of implementation of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (GS).
- To call for action to bridge the remaining gaps in policy and programs on breastfeeding and IYCF.
- To draw public attention on the state of policy and programs on breastfeeding and IYCF.
- Enhancing and expanding the scope of the national programs supporting breastfeeding, and adopting them at a world level.
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