Breastfeeding Committee in King Abdulaziz Hospital - Al Ahsa held the Breastfeeding Course 20 in order to promote a culture of breastfeeding and the implementation of its objectives.
The NGHA Regional Executive Manager in the Eastern Province, Dr. Ahmad Abdulrahman Al-Arfaj said: "The National Guard Health Affairs is keen on implementing the breastfeeding program in all its hospitals, highlighting the importance of the citizen’s awareness to the benefits of breastfeeding, and King Abdulaziz Hospital - Al Ahsa won the Baby-Friendly Hospital Award as an award for advocating breastfeeding and the policy of fighting formula".
Furthermore, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics - King Abdul Aziz Hospital - Al Ahsa, and the coordinator of the breastfeeding Course 40, Dr. Hesham Jawad Al-Girim: "We are assessing this course because King Abdul Aziz Hospital - Al Ahsa is internationally recognized Baby-Friendly Hospital, and we are trying to remind people of the importance of breastfeeding at several levels covering doctors, nurses, staff and even members of the community."
He noted that "the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) has accredited this course with 30 CME hours and that the organizing committee has limited the number of participants to only 25 participants to maximize the benefits of the course”, he also added: " the course was held over five days where the participants were intensively trained to be qualified consultants and trainers to other interested groups".
Patient educator and breastfeeding consultant Zahra Al-Basri said:” the course dealt with several issues, notably the latest medical studies in the field of breastfeeding, medical uses of breast milk for the treatment of wounds, ulcer, increase the immune system, eye inflammation and sore throats" and asserted that "recent studies have also demonstrated and confirmed that aggressive behavior is less frequent in children breastfeed, as opposed to children who take formula and suffer from hyperactivity".
Zahra Al-Basri also explained that "children who are breastfed gain more strength in communication skills, along with intelligence and good behavior," adding, "through this course, we aim to change hospitals policies in order to promote breastfeeding, and to correct any misconceptions among mothers about breastfeeding in general".