Ministry of Health Honors Hospitals Accredited as 'Baby-Friendly Hospitals' and Awarded Excellence Certification for Breastfeeding Support

Under the patronage and in the presence of Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi, and with the attendance of Deputy Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah, and Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs Dr. Al-Mundhir Al-Hasawi, the Ministry of Health, represented by the Nutrition and Feeding Administration and the National Committee for Supporting Breastfeeding, hosted an awards ceremony honoring hospitals that obtained or renewed their “Baby-Friendly Hospital” accreditation. The event also included honoring Al-Jahra Hospital for receiving the IBCLC Care Award 2026, in recognition of its commitment to global best practices in supporting breastfeeding and maternal and child care.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah emphasized that this recognition embodies the Ministry’s dedication to continuing the development of maternal and child health services, and strengthening a supportive environment for breastfeeding through the implementation of international best standards and practices. He highlighted efforts to enhance the efficiency of services provided to mothers and children, and to consolidate the culture of integrated healthcare across various health institutions, thereby positively impacting family and community health, and reinforcing the quality and sustainability of healthcare services.

For her part, Dr. Mona Al-Sumait, Coordinator of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative program, stated that Kuwait has been implementing the initiative since 1998, contributing to tangible progress in supporting breastfeeding within health institutions. She added that Al-Adan Hospital renewed its Baby-Friendly Hospital accreditation for the fifth time, and Tayba Hospital for the fourth time, while Farwaniya Hospital received the accreditation for the first time for a three-year period. Al-Jahra Hospital also received the IBCLC Care Award 2026 for excellence in supporting breastfeeding, joining Al-Adan, Maternity, and Farwaniya hospitals that have already received this international certification.

She noted that the results of the 2025 Nutritional Surveillance Program showed an increase in the rate of early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth to 94%, and an increase in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of age to 33%. She affirmed that these achievements reflect the success of national efforts in improving the health of mothers and newborns, and enhancing Kuwait’s standing in implementing global best healthcare practices.