The Ministry of Public Health said yesterday that it is working in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to launch the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, in all hospitals and primary health care centres in Qatar.
The initiative was launched jointly by the WHO and Unicef in 1991. It aims to promote exclusive breastfeeding since the birth of the child, and until he/she reaches the age of six months. Breastfeeding should continue for two years with the introduction of homemade complementary feeding, in order to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by reducing the mortality rate of infants and children under age five.
Sheikha Dr Al Anoud bint Mohamed Al Thani, Director, Health Promotion and Non-communicable Diseases said that the ministry is working to analyse the situation of hospitals and primary health care centres, and prepare a training manual for implementation of the initiative.
