BUILDING HEALTHIER FUTURES Oman’s drive for baby-friendly hospitals

SIHAM AL SAIDI
Healthcare institutions across Oman are accelerating efforts to achieve the prestigious ‘Baby-Friendly Hospital’ designation, an international accreditation supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef.
The initiative underscores the nation’s commitment to advancing maternal and child health, with breastfeeding at the core of building healthier generations.
Hospitals and primary healthcare centres are aligning their services with the National Guidelines for Baby-Friendly Hospitals, which emphasise the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding — from encouraging early initiation to providing sustained support for mothers throughout their journey.
Over recent months, training programmes have been rolled out across multiple governorates to strengthen staff capacity, raise awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding and equip medical professionals with the skills to meet international accreditation standards.
Khadija al Zaidi, a trainer in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Programme and member of the national evaluation team, noted: “We are currently accrediting hospitals under the Ministry of Health, and the next phase will include private hospitals and primary healthcare institutions. A trained national team is in place to evaluate hospitals across Oman, ensuring they meet international benchmarks.”
At present, Khoula Hospital in Muscat is the only officially certified baby-friendly institution in Oman. However, progress is visible, with preliminary evaluations completed in several hospitals and final assessments conducted in Ibri, Nizwa, Al Rustaq, Suhar and Al Buraimi.
“The aim is to expand the network of accredited hospitals so that every mother and child benefits from the best possible support during this critical stage of life,” Al Zaidi added.
The initiative highlights Oman’s broader alignment with international health strategies while tailoring them to local priorities. Beyond policies and evaluations, success relies on the daily commitment of doctors and nurses who guide mothers and support families. With momentum growing, Oman’s healthcare sector is moving steadily towards a future where every hospital is a safe and supportive space for mothers and newborns.