In a ceremony held at Roda Al Bustan Hotel Dubai, the Ministry of Health and Prevention MOHAP has honored 49 health facilities, which have been accredited as World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF “Baby Friendly Health Facility Initiative”.
The event was held in the presence of H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman Al-Rand, Undersecretary of the Ministry’s Health Assistant Sector, Health Centers and Clinics, Dr. Aisha Suhail, Director of Primary Health Care Department, Dr. Esmat Al Qassim, Head of Maternal and Child Health section , and a number of MOHAP concerned departments.
MOHAP, in conjunction with with WHO and UNICEF, are the official body for nominating and accrediting the “Baby Friendly Health Care Facility” at National level.
The accreditation is conducted through the “National Assessors Team” and based on the external assessment tool and updated scientific sources adopted by WHO, UNICEF and International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (WHO Code).
MOHAP’s efforts in this regard have yielded the attainment of a considerable number of health facilities accredited as Baby Friendly. This includes 18 government hospitals in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates, 3 hospitals in the private sector, 28 primary health care centers affiliated to MOHAP, in Sharjah and Dubai, and Dubai Health Authority.
Maternal and Child Health is a Strategic Priority
H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman Al-Rand congratulated the health facilities that have been awarded “Baby Friendly”, adding that the UAE has paid great attention to the maternal and child health in all plans and strategies. For that reason, MOHAP has adopted ambitious strategies and policies on childcare and nutrition.
Al-Rand further said: “Baby friendly health facility are a global initiative adopted by WHO and UNICEF. It aims at protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding mothers. Accordingly, MOHAP has adopted this initiative as part of the National Breastfeeding Program and National Maternal and Child Health Plan. This initiative is carried out in all health facilities that provides MCH services across the UAE for more tah 20 years, where the Kuwait Hospital Dubai and Mafraq Hospital were among the first hospitals to be nominated as Baby friendly hospital in the year 1997.”
Elements of Baby Friendly Health Facility Initiative
Dr. Esmat Al Qassim said: “The initiative is focusing on WHO/UNICEF “Ten steps to successful breastfeeding”. As breastfeeding is the natural and normal way to provide optimal nutritional, immunological, and emotional nurturing for the growth and development of infants. Also, the initiative helps mothers continue their breastfeeding during the first six months of their infants’ life, with the proper and timely introduction of complementary food while continuing breastfeeding for two years or more.”
In addition, the program includes training of health workers in hospitals and primary care centers that provide maternity and newborn services; so, they have adequate knowledge, competence and skills to help mother breastfeed successfully.
Furthermore, the program features educational lessons to pregnant mothers during their regular antenatal visits and after the delivery. These lessons aim to raise mothers’ knowledge and information and provide them with the necessary skills to make the breastfeeding process successful.