Breastfeeding: three Lebanese hospitals awarded 'baby-friendly' label

The Lebanese Ministry of Health, in partnership with UNICEF, has announced that Marjayoun Governmental Hospital, Ain Wa Zein Medical Hospital, and Rassoul al-Aazam Hospital have been recognized as "baby-friendly hospitals" after successfully meeting the ten steps to successful breastfeeding, according to a statement from UNICEF.

This accreditation is a major milestone in Lebanon’s efforts to improve the quality, equity, and accountability of maternal and neonatal care, UNICEF explained. According to the organization, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) “sets standards that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, while ensuring respectful and child-friendly care for mothers and newborns from the very first hour after birth.”

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“Recognizing Baby-Friendly Hospitals is not just a technical accreditation, it is a national commitment to protect life from its very first moments,” said Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine. “Investing in the health of mothers and newborns, especially in the critical hours and days after birth, is one of the most effective and sustainable investments for Lebanon’s future.”

According to comments reported by the state0run National News Agency (NNA), the minister also praised the accreditation of Marjayoun Governmental Hospital, located in southern Lebanon, a region regularly affected by tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. “Despite its location and modest resources, this hospital succeeded in earning this accreditation and now serves as a model for public institutions,” he said.

According to recent national data cited by UNICEF, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months is 23% and continues to decline. The BFHI program addresses this challenge by providing qualified support to mothers, encouraging early initiation of breastfeeding, and maintaining consistent quality standards across maternity and neonatal care services, the organization added. “Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful and cost-effective interventions for child survival, nutrition, and development,” said Marco Luigi Corsi, UNICEF representative in Lebanon.