Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF Recognize Three Hospitals as Baby Friendly in Lebanon

03 February 2026 – The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), recognized Marjaayoun Governmental Hospital, Ain Wazein Medical Hospital, and Rasoul Aazam Hospital as baby friendly hospitals, following their successful completion of all ten steps to successful breastfeeding.

This recognition marks a significant milestone in Lebanon’s efforts to strengthen the quality, equity, and accountability of maternity and newborn care. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) institutionalizes evidence-based, rights-based standards that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, while ensuring respectful and child-friendly care for mothers and newborns from the first hour after birth.

The Minister of Public Health Dr Rakan Naserddine said: “Recognizing Baby Friendly Hospitals is not merely a technical accreditation, but a national commitment to protecting life from its very first moments. Investing in maternal and newborn health, particularly in the critical hours and days after birth, is one of the most effective and sustainable investments we can make for Lebanon’s future. We thank UNICEF for its continuous support and partnership in advancing this vital agenda, and we reaffirm our commitment to high-quality, rights-based care that supports mothers, protects newborns, and strengthens our health system, even in times of crisis.”

Recent national data underscore the urgency of this work. With exclusive breastfeeding rates among infants under six months at 23 per cent and declining in recent years, strengthening health system support for breastfeeding remains critical. The BFHI directly addresses these gaps by embedding skilled support, early initiation of breastfeeding, and consistent quality standards within routine maternity and newborn services.

“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. “By institutionalizing Baby Friendly standards, these hospitals are not only supporting mothers to breastfeed, but also strengthening the quality, dignity, and accountability of care for every newborn. This is how we build stronger health systems and give every child the best possible start in life.”

The hospitals recognized today represent both the public and private sectors and serve diverse communities across different regions of Lebanon, demonstrating that high-quality, child-friendly and rights-based maternity care is achievable across the health system.

The Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF reaffirm their joint commitment to expanding and sustaining Baby Friendly standards nationwide, in close collaboration with partners, to ensure that every mother and every newborn in Lebanon can access quality care, optimal nutrition, and a healthy start to life.