Latest news with #Baby-FriendlyHospitalInitiative
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
MoPH marks World Breastfeeding Week with awareness drive, events
Tribune News Network Doha The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is intensifying efforts to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week, observed globally from August 1 to 7. On this occasion, the MoPH launched an extensive awareness campaign on its social media sites, including publishing messages and videos about the importance of breastfeeding. As part of its campaign, MoPH is organising a series of events and activities in collaboration with partners across the health sector. One key event was held at the MoPH headquarters, targeting public health sector employees. Attendees received information on maternal and infant nutrition, mental health, leave policies and entitlements for breastfeeding mothers, and had the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with experts. Another awareness event, conducted in partnership with the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), took place at Al Sadd Health Centre. It aimed to support mothers and encourage community participation in promoting optimal nutrition practices for infants and young children. The event welcomed pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, families, healthcare providers, and members of the public. The MoPH is also working with Sidra Medicine to organise a dedicated event to further promote breastfeeding awareness and respond to questions from the public. These efforts form part of a broader initiative by the MoPH and its partners to enhance maternal and child nutrition. Key programmes include the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, which encourages breastfeeding from the first moments after birth and aims to transform all maternal and child care facilities in Qatar into breastfeeding-friendly centres. In addition, the MoPH is strengthening the capacity of health sector workers by offering training in breastfeeding support and promoting the sharing of best practices. These efforts align with the Ministry's overarching goal of protecting and improving the health of pregnant women, mothers, and their children. Further initiatives include training medical professionals in the use of the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts for children under five, which help in the early detection of malnutrition, including obesity, underweight, overweight, and stunting. To support these efforts, the Nutrition Guidelines for the State of Qatar for Mother and Child (0–5 years) will soon be published in both Arabic and English. These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations to support the health of mothers and children during the preconception, pregnancy, and early childhood stages. World Breastfeeding Week is recognised as a key global platform for promoting breastfeeding. In 2018, a World Health Assembly resolution endorsed it as a vital strategy. Led by the WHO, UNICEF, ministries of health, and civil society partners worldwide, the week serves as a reminder to the public and policymakers alike that breastfeeding is fundamental to lifelong health and development.
Roya News
03-08-2025
- Health
- Roya News
Breastfeeding rates plummet in Jordan, prompting support efforts
As Jordan commemorates World Breastfeeding Week, officials and health advocates are raising concerns over declining breastfeeding rates and calling for a nationwide push to better support mothers, from hospitals to homes, Jordan News Agency (Petra) reported. This year's campaign, running under the global theme 'Enabling Breastfeeding: Shared Responsibility of Health Systems and Communities,' is part of Jordan's wider 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures' initiative, which aims to prioritize maternal and child health. In a statement on Sunday, the Higher Population Council sounded the alarm on persistently low exclusive breastfeeding rates. Only 24 percent of Jordanian infants under six months are exclusively breastfed, a significant drop from 39 percent three decades ago. The council highlighted systemic gaps that continue to undermine breastfeeding practices, particularly within healthcare settings. Notably, nearly 70 percent of newborns delivered in private hospitals are separated from their mothers immediately after birth, disrupting the critical early skin-to-skin contact and delaying breastfeeding initiation. Just 38 percent of babies are exclusively breastfed during their first two days of life, with cesarean deliveries posing additional barriers. 'Breastfeeding is more than a nutritional choice, it's a foundational pillar of lifelong health,' health experts emphasize. In addition to providing ideal nourishment, breastfeeding strengthens immunity, reduces the risk of chronic disease, and promotes mother-child bonding. For mothers, it supports postpartum recovery, lowers cancer risks, and aids natural birth spacing. The economic burden of formula feeding also adds urgency to the issue, with the average Jordanian family spending about JD 55 per month on infant formula, a cost that hits hardest among low-income households. To address these challenges, the Higher Population Council is urging investments in healthcare worker training, stronger enforcement of breastfeeding-related regulations, and wider adoption of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. The Council also called for accessible counseling services before and after birth and broader enforcement of the international code restricting aggressive marketing of breast-milk substitutes.
The Star
26-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Promoting baby-friendly private hospitals
SEREMBAN: The Health Ministry, through the National Lactation Centre, has launched the Madani private hospital Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) 2025 to promote breastfeeding and reduce the prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Its deputy minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang said partnership between the public and private sectors to implement the initiative and support nursing mothers with confidence and respect was a shared responsibility. 'The core objectives of this tour, which is in line with the National Nutrition Policy, include expanding BFHI promotion, ensuring more private hospitals join the movement of nursing mothers, strengthening community support so that nursing mothers do not feel isolated and can confidently nurse their children,' he said at the launch of the initiative here yesterday, Bernama reported. Such inclusive efforts would ensure the health of both mother and child, and allow more Malaysians to support breastfeeding, he said, adding that 31 private hospitals are participating in the initiative. 'Currently, 31 out of 180 private hospitals have been accredited as BFHI. Congratulations to 20 KPJ Healthcare hospitals for being the hospital consortium with the most accredited hospitals,' he said. Lukanisman said there are 15 hospitals being in the final stage of training by the National Lactation Centre together with the state Health Department to receive BFHI accreditation while 65 hospitals are in the process of initial training.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Post-natal gaps in C-section deliveries leading to breastfeeding challenges for women, say experts
Lucknow: Neha Singh (name changed), 25, from Unnao, underwent a cesarean delivery at a private hospital but couldn't breastfeed her newborn son. Despite multiple attempts on the first day, the baby failed to latch properly. Doctors advised formula milk, which led to constipation in the infant and anxiety for the new mother. The next day, Neha's family took her to a private medical college, where doctors explained that the delayed initiation of breastfeeding had disrupted the baby's natural latching instinct, affecting her milk production. With proper counselling and lactation training, Neha was able to begin breastfeeding within two days. "I had no idea that timing and guidance were so important. I wish someone had explained this to me earlier," she said. Neha's experience is not uncommon in new mothers. Doctors at govt and private teaching hospitals in the city say many women who deliver via C-section in private hospitals struggle to breastfeed. The issue, they emphasise, often lies not with the surgery, but with poor postnatal care and hospital practices. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Hospitals like King George's Medical University (KGMU), Era's Medical College, and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) report seeing 10–12 such cases every month. In most instances, mothers delivered at other hospitals and approached these centres only after facing problems such as poor milk supply, failure to latch, or early dependence on formula feeding. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the rate of cesarean deliveries in Uttar Pradesh more than doubled—from 9.4% in 2015–16 to 21.5% in 2019–21—with most procedures taking place in private hospitals. While many mothers report breastfeeding difficulties after C-sections, doctors insist the underlying problem is how newborns are handled immediately after birth. "Cesarean surgery itself doesn't hamper breastfeeding," said dean of Era Medical College and senior paediatrician, Prof MM Faridi. "The real problem is that in many hospitals, babies are separated from their mothers for long hours and are bottle-fed. This leads to nipple confusion, which makes breastfeeding much harder," he added. Early skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding within the first hour of birth are crucial. The baby's suckling stimulates maternal hormones—prolactin and oxytocin—essential for milk production. However, many hospitals skip these steps. The absence of trained nurses and lactation consultants only worsens the problem. Prof Faridi advocates for mandatory lactation training and strict implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), which recommends keeping mother and baby together to encourage early breastfeeding. At KGMU, Prof Amita Pandey said, "In most C-section cases, we start breastfeeding even during surgery. Although mothers can take only oral fluids in the first 12 hours, milk production begins almost as it does in normal deliveries." Prof Smriti Agrawal of Queen Mary's Hospital stressed the importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour.
Hi Dubai
21-03-2025
- Health
- Hi Dubai
Latifa Hospital Earns WHO and UNICEF Accreditation as Baby-Friendly Hospital
Dubai Health's Latifa Hospital has been accredited by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), marking a significant milestone in maternal and newborn care. The accreditation highlights the hospital's adherence to global standards in safe childbirth, breastfeeding promotion, and maternal health support through specialised services and awareness programmes. Dr. Muna Tahlak, Chief Medical Officer at Dubai Health, stated, 'Latifa Hospital's recognition under the BFHI reflects our unwavering commitment to maternal and newborn care. By adopting best practices, we ensure a safe, supportive environment for mothers and their families.' She also expressed gratitude to the hospital's medical and administrative teams for their dedication to patient care. Latifa Hospital provides comprehensive antenatal care, including psychological support and nutritional guidance. Its advanced labor and delivery units ensure a comfortable birthing experience, while specialised neonatal intensive care units (NICU) offer critical care for newborns. The hospital also conducts educational workshops to support postnatal care and infant health. Beyond medical services, Latifa Hospital fosters a childbirth-friendly environment by reducing unnecessary interventions and prioritising mother-child bonding. Its breastfeeding support programmes further reinforce the importance of early maternal and newborn health. This achievement reinforces Dubai Health's mission to enhance healthcare services, aligning with Dubai's vision for a healthier and more resilient community. News Source: Emirates News Agency
