Dubai races to support 'Breastfeeding Week'

Dubai: A race was held on Friday at Mamzar Park in support of the 'Breastfeeding Week' with over 600 participants, organisers said.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Department of Health and Medical Services and Al Wasl Hospital.

Hana Obaid Tehwarah, director of finance and administration at Al Wasl Hospital, opened the event on behalf of Dr Abdullah Al Khayat, the director, who could not attend the event.

"The marathon started from the cultural club in Al Memzer district and partcipants returned to the Park after an hour," said Tehwarah.

"More than 600 people from various segments of the society, including a large of children took part in the rally.

"About 25 different nationalities have participated in the event and under the slogan 'Breastfeeding Babies Right'."

'Baby-friendly'

Subsequently, Al Wasl hospital's slogan will be "Baby Friendly Hospital" and the campaign is considered the first of its kind in the Middle East, she said.

Ravi Kumar, Assistant director of nursing, said, "The rest of the week is organised to take various forms of educating the UAE society about how the campaign is seriously taken. The campaign will include daily visits to high schools in Dubai in order to educate the students how crucial the programme as well as in shopping malls and distributing brochures and gifts."

"There will also be an exhibition in Al Wasl hospital starting on Sunday to confirm our message in supporting breastfeeding as well as our new slogan that says 'The baby will have the best start in life,'" said Kumar.