Kingdom ramps up maternal health efforts

TDT | Manama

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The Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Jaleela bint Sayed Jawad Hassan, marked World Breastfeeding Week with a celebration bringing together official and community stakeholders committed to supporting women and families. Officials said the event reflects national efforts to raise awareness of breastfeeding’s benefits and create a health-friendly environment for mothers.

Coordinated action

The ministry stressed that its initiatives aim to strengthen coordination between government agencies and civil society to build an integrated system prioritising family health. Efforts also focus on providing psychological and social support to mothers, helping them sustain breastfeeding practices.

Training and awareness

As part of these plans, accredited training workshops have been rolled out for healthcare personnel, alongside awareness campaigns for mothers. Officials said this underlines a commitment to enhancing maternal and child care services, and to entrenching breastfeeding as a key pillar of community health.

Policy support

Bahrain has adopted several supportive measures, including promoting the ‘Baby-Friendly Hospitals’ initiative, tightening oversight of breast-milk substitute marketing, introducing maternity leave legislation, and encouraging dedicated breastfeeding rooms in workplaces. The ministry said these steps contribute to the Kingdom’s sustainable development goals and promote healthy societal practices. The ministry reaffirmed that such programmes are designed to build a healthier, more sustainable society for future generations.