When it comes to parenting advice, new mums are always grateful, and when that parenting advice comes from an experienced royal, well it’s advice most mums are all too happy to listen to.
When mother-of-two, HRH Princess Haya addressed over 300 health professionals at the Growth and Development Summit in Ritz Carlton DIFC, to highlight the importance of nutrition during pregnancy, everyone was listening.
Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
The Growth and Development Summit was held under the patronage of Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, who is the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Read: 10 Moments Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya Were The Perfect Couple
According Khaleej Times topics highlighted included the importance of nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from conception until two years of age, with research revealing these are the days that significantly influence health in adulthood. Optimal nutrition can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and allergies.
HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein with daughter HH Sheikha Al Jalila Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Princess Haya said: “We know that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life is a time of most rapid growth in one’s lifetime, and will shape their future health. A healthy 1,000 days changes the course of a child’s life and has a significant impact on the individual’s intellectual and physical development which thereby will help shape their role in society.”
Read: Four UAE Mums Give An Honest Account Of Parenting
The royal was supporting Humaid Al Qattami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, who is helping to tackle a problem that is faced worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation all countries must continue their efforts to decrease the number of childhood fatalities, which has reduced from 12.7 million children under the age of five in 1990 to 6.3 million in 2013 worldwide.
Read: How To Make Your Child Eat Their Greens
Al Qattami said at the summit: “The UAE already has a number of initiatives in place to promote mother and child health and DHA spares no effort in making Dubai’s society happier and this starts with mother and children as they are tomorrow’s generation.”
Tifli (my baby) app
One of the initiatives includes the Tifli (my baby) app that provides information from preconception until the baby is two years and Sehhaty (my health) app, which allows family members to keep track of their health.
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