JHAH Sets New Standard in Maternal Care

November 28, 2024

JHAH becomes first private hospital in Eastern Province to receive Baby-Friendly Hospital accreditation

A mother and father’s nervous wait for their baby boy showcases JHAH’s commitment to compassionate maternal care

It was Mrs. Yami’s second day in labor with her first child and she was getting increasingly nervous. Several complications meant that her baby just wasn’t coming.

“All that time waiting for this child and worrying about his very being — it was terrifying,” she said.

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But I am a woman of faith, and I knew I had the right team around me. That was an incredible comfort in my time of need.

Mrs. Yami’s team at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare Dhahran (JHAH) decided it was time to act. She was rushed to the operating theater, where surgeons performed a caesarean section. Moments later, her son, Laith, was born.

She went on to give birth three more times at JHAH, to Leen, now 21; Lama, now 19; and Laila, now 18. Laith himself is now 23. Their father, Dr. Saeed Al Yami, was also born at JHAH — as were his ten brothers and sisters.

Dr. Al Yami said of his own children: “I vividly remember every one of their births. The birth of your child is the most weighty, scary experience you can have. What makes it even worse is that I’m a doctor, so I know about all the bad things that might happen, and dwell on them far more than I should.

“Sometimes, all you need as a worried parent is an arm around you, and that’s what the care team gave us. Their professionalism was matched by their compassion.”

JHAH’s commitment to high-quality maternal care was recognised this month when it received international accreditation as a Baby-Friendly Hospital. JHAH is the first private hospital in the Eastern Province, and the second private hospital in Saudi Arabia, to receive the certification.

JHAH’s accreditation required nine months of vetting — much less than the two years typically required. The vetting process involved full-hospital coordination and multiple inspections by the Saudi Ministry of Health. JHAH officially learned of the accreditation on November 10.

Educating patients about breastfeeding, which is crucial for infant and maternal health, is central to the Baby-Friendly Hospital accreditation. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF established the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative to support breastfeeding and improve global breastfeeding rates. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of chronic disease, strengthens the mother-infant bond, and offers long-term maternal health benefits such as cutting the risk of cancer.

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a response to declining rates of exclusive breastfeeding – which is recommended for a baby’s first six months – due to the widespread availability of formula. The WHO reports that globally, fewer than half of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed.

Therefore, at JHAH, mothers-to-be won’t find formula, bottles, or pacifiers. Instead, they’ll see “Empowering Your Breastfeeding Journey” posters, lactation rooms, and staff trained in breastfeeding support.

“The importance and benefits of breastfeeding have been cyclical – and we are unquestionably on an ‘up’ cycle where the superior benefits of breastfeeding are firmly established,” said Dr. Greer Barlow, Senior Nursing Director, JHAH Women and Children Department. “So we are deeply gratified to be leading efforts in this respect.”

To achieve BFHI accreditation, hospitals like JHAH must ensure at least 75% of mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding at discharge, comply with global marketing regulations for formula, and follow BFHI’s “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding,” including staff training and facilitating mother-infant bonding after birth.

“Earning this accreditation in just nine months’ time affirms the commitment and dedication of the entire multidisciplinary healthcare team here at JHAH,” Dr. Barlow added. “Most importantly, expectant mothers can have confidence knowing that outside experts from the Saudi Ministry of Health, with guidance from the WHO and UNICEF, have accredited JHAH as ‘baby friendly’ with an emphasis on the vital benefits of breastfeeding at the center of what we offer.”

The accreditation underscores JHAH’s dedication to educating parents on breastfeeding and providing high-quality maternal and neonatal care. Annually, 2,000 women benefit from JHAH’s expert team, pre-natal and lactation visits, a new pregnancy app via MyChart, and 24/7 epidural care, which is offered only at select hospitals.

With this new certification, JHAH reaffirms its role as a leader in maternal health, providing a safe and supportive environment for expecting mothers and their families and educating parents about caring for their children. The hospital’s commitment to high-quality maternal care and empowering breastfeeding makes it a valued choice for parents throughout the region.

Learn more about Pediatric Care services at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcar