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WHO and UNICEF recognition highlights the hospital’s family-centred care in the UAE
Fakeeh University Hospital has earned Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) accreditation, officially recognised by the UAE Ministry of Health, Public Health and Prevention Department on behalf of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
One of the world’s most respected standards in maternal and newborn healthcare. The accreditation reflects the hospital’s commitment to delivering safe, high-quality, and family-centred maternity services, while fostering a supportive breastfeeding environment and advancing maternal and child wellbeing through specialised healthcare programs, education, and continuous patient support.
Widely regarded as one of the leading global benchmarks in maternity and neonatal care, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative recognises healthcare institutions that demonstrate excellence in breastfeeding support, newborn nutrition, maternal wellbeing, patient education, and family-centred care through internationally approved clinical protocols, continuous staff training, and rigorous quality assessments.
The accreditation follows the implementation of internationally recognised practices under the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” framework developed by WHO and UNICEF, aimed at protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding while empowering mothers through education, guidance, and continuous care throughout their maternity journey.
The achievement reflects extensive collaboration across multiple departments within Fakeeh University Hospital, with physicians, Nursing and midwifery teams, lactation consultants and clinical support services, and operational staff working together to ensure every mother and newborn receives safe, personalized, and compassionate care from the very beginning of their healthcare journey.
As part of its patient-centred maternity approach, Fakeeh University Hospital promotes early skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, helping to strengthen the health of the baby and the mother-baby bonding.
The hospital’s support for mothers extends beyond delivery through ongoing education, lactation guidance, and postnatal care designed to help families navigate the early stages of parenthood with confidence and reassurance.
The accreditation further strengthens Fakeeh University Hospital’s position as a leading institution in patient-centred maternity and neonatal healthcare, reflecting not only clinical excellence but also a deeper organisational commitment to delivering healthcare built on trust, empathy, safety, and international best practices.
Fakeeh University Hospital continues to advance its maternity and neonatal programs through multidisciplinary expertise, advanced medical technologies, and family-centred healthcare initiatives designed to improve long-term outcomes for mothers, newborns, and families across the UAE.
