The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives (BFHI) is an internationally accredited program aiming to create a health care environment that supports breastfeeding as the norm. BFHI has been launched in 1991 by WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF. BFHI was adapted by UAE in 1993 and Sharjah was the first emirate to implement community initiative to support BFHI in 2011 by an Emiri Decree and became ‘world’s first baby friendly city in 2015’ by WHO and UNICEF.
Sharjah baby friendly health facilities (SBFH) motivates hospitals providing maternity and newborn services to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding by WHO/UNICEF. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding provide a supportive pathway enabling women to achieve their breastfeeding intentions and guiding the training of healthcare workers in breastfeeding support.
SBFH also extended the services to Community Health Care Settings (Primary Healthcare Centers) and implemented The Seven Steps Plan for sustaining breastfeeding. This initiative has been an effective, evidence-based accreditation programs that enabled to facilitate an increase in breastfeeding continuation rates. All the primary health centers and hospitals in the emirate of Sharjah is registered with SBFH along with some of the private institutions towards their baby friendly accreditation process.
SCFO provides guidance and technical support (resources and training) throughout their journey until they are fully baby friendly accredited and continue supporting them in reaccreditation.
An article was published in Breastfeeding Medicine Journal (Vol. 10. Issue No. 9: October 26, 2015) on ‘The Sharjah Baby Friendly campaign: A community based model for breastfeeding promotion, protection and support’ (http://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2015.0095). A scientific review by Prof. Arthur I. Eidelman in his introductory article in the same journal (http://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2015.29014.eid).
The Sharjah Baby Friendly project was recognized by WHO EMRO and published our successful story in their nutritional website (emro.who.int/nutrition/success-stories).
The SEVEN STEPS to
Successful Breastfeeding
The TEN STEPS to
Successful Breastfeeding
Sharjah Baby friendly health facilities timeline
October 2019
Globally won UNICEF’s ‘Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) Inspire award.
December 2015
Sharjah Emirate Achieved the first Baby-Friendly City title.
Baby Friendly Health Facilities Achievement
Baby Friendly Health Facilities Achievement