Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and healthcare institutions are actively engaging in World Health Day celebrations, which this year emphasizes 'Maternal and Newborn Health.' This initiative aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) campaign 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,' which seeks to bolster global efforts to prevent maternal and newborn deaths and foreground women's health and wellbeing.
According to Qatar News Agency, maternal and newborn health holds substantial significance in the State of Qatar. The nation has successfully met the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals concerning the reduction of mortality rates among newborns and children under five and the improvement of maternal survival rates. Recent statistics from 2023 reveal that Qatar recorded no maternal deaths during childbirth, with all births occurring under the care of skilled healthcare professionals.
HE Minister of Public Health, Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, affirmed, "In the State of Qatar, under the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, we remain committed to delivering the highest quality healthcare services to all members of society, with a special focus on supporting the health and wellbeing of mothers and newborns." His Excellency further emphasized the country's dedication to advancing maternal and newborn health as part of a commitment to a healthy and sustainable future for all generations.
Highlighting the priority of maternal and newborn health in the National Health Strategy 2024-2030, His Excellency mentioned two pivotal initiatives: 'Reproductive Health' and 'Healthy Children and Adolescents.' These initiatives strive to maintain high standards of healthcare services for mothers, newborns, children, and adolescents across all levels of care.
The Ministry of Public Health has implemented several initiatives to improve maternal and newborn health, notably the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, which advocates for breastfeeding support in healthcare settings. Since 2016, the Ministry has collaborated with healthcare institutions to enhance breastfeeding rates, with facilities assessed based on WHO standards to earn baby-friendly hospital accreditation.
Data from Qatar's Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) indicates a rise in exclusive breastfeeding rates among infants aged 0-5 months, from 29.3 percent in 2012 to 45.4 percent in 2023. The Ministry also runs a Child Growth Monitoring Programme to track and compare children's development to global standards, promoting child health awareness and facilitating early detection of growth-related issues.
Moreover, the Ministry has issued nutritional guidelines promoting breastfeeding and plans to release new guidelines focused on maternal and child nutrition for children under five. Qatar's National Immunisation Programme, achieving over 95 percent coverage for essential childhood vaccines, contributes significantly to maternal and newborn health and community disease prevention.
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has initiated a campaign in April titled 'A Woman's Health Reflects Her Family's Health,' aimed at advocating for women's health and informing about available services. PHCC provides the initial care contact for pregnant women and newborns in Qatar, complementing the specialized care offered in hospitals.
Globally, WHO reports approximately 300,000 women die annually from pregnancy or childbirth complications, with over two million children dying within their first month. Approximately two million stillbirths occur each year, equating to nearly one preventable death every seven seconds. WHO warns that, at the current pace, many countries are unlikely to meet maternal survival and newborn death reduction targets by 2030.