The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) celebrated the Baby Friendly Hospital status given to Dubai Hospital by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at a ceremony held at the hospital.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), launched in 1991, is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF to encourage and implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding. This global effort ensures that all maternities whether free standing or in a hospital, become centres of breastfeeding support. In order to gain recognition as a Baby-Friendly Hospital, healthcare facilities must implement 10 specific steps to support successful breastfeeding some of which include formal training, educating mothers-to-be and establishing lactation clinics to encourage more women to breastfeed their babies.