Kuwait’s Ministry of Health recognized several hospitals on Saturday for receiving or renewing Baby-Friendly Hospital accreditation, underscoring efforts to enhance maternal and child healthcare through breastfeeding support. During a ceremony organized by the Nutrition and Food Department in collaboration with the National Breastfeeding Support Committee, Al-Jahra Hospital was also presented with the IBCLC Care Award 2026 in recognition of its adherence to international best practices in breastfeeding and maternal-child health.

The event was attended by key officials, including Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, Ministry Undersecretary Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs Dr. Al-Mundhir Al-Hasawi, and other senior health authorities. Sheikh Dr. Salman highlighted that the awards demonstrate the ministry’s ongoing commitment to improving health services for mothers and children by fostering environments supportive of breastfeeding and by applying globally recognized standards and practices.

“These initiatives help advance the quality and effectiveness of healthcare provided to mothers and children, promote a unified health care culture across institutions, and contribute to broader family and community well-being, as well as the sustainability of health services,” Sheikh Dr. Salman said.

Dr. Mona Al-Sumaiei, coordinator of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in Kuwait, noted that the country has been implementing the program since 1998, making considerable progress in promoting breastfeeding within healthcare settings. She noted the continued achievements of specific institutions, highlighting Al-Adan Hospital, which renewed its accreditation for the fifth consecutive time, and Taiba Hospital, which secured its fourth renewal.

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is part of a global effort aimed at supporting breastfeeding by ensuring that healthcare facilities adopt policies and practices that encourage and enable mothers to breastfeed effectively. The accreditation process evaluates hospitals on their adherence to these standards and their commitment to maternal and child health.

The recognition of these hospitals aligns with Kuwait’s broader public health strategy aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for families and reinforcing preventive care measures. The awards ceremony highlights the government’s focus on implementing sustainable, evidence-based practices that support maternal and child health services across the country.