Minister of Health Honors Hospitals Accredited as «Baby-Friendly»

Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi honored hospitals that have obtained or renewed the “Baby-Friendly Hospital” accreditation, alongside recognizing Al-Jahra Hospital for receiving the IBCLC Care Award 2026, in appreciation of its commitment to global best practices in supporting breastfeeding and maternal and child care.

In a press statement, the Ministry of Health noted that the Nutrition and Feeding Administration and the National Committee for Supporting Breastfeeding organized a commemorative ceremony for this occasion, attended by Deputy Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs Dr. Al-Mundhir Al-Hasawi, and several senior officials from the ministry.

The statement quoted Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah emphasizing 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 the best international standards and practices. This aims to enhance the quality of services provided to mothers and children, consolidate the culture of integrated healthcare across various health institutions, and positively impact family and community health, thereby reinforcing the quality and sustainability of healthcare services.

For her part, Dr. Mona Al-Sumait, Coordinator of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, stated in the same release 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, while Tiba Hospital renewed it for the fourth time. Al-Farwaniya Hospital received the accreditation for the first time for a three-year period. Meanwhile, Al-Jahra Hospital received the IBCLC Care Award 2026 for excellence in supporting breastfeeding, joining Al-Adan, Maternity, and Al-Farwaniya hospitals, which have also received this international award.

She pointed out 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 to improve the health of mothers and newborns and enhance Kuwait’s standing in implementing global best healthcare practices.