MADANI BFHI Tour To Promote Breastfeeding, Reduce Prevalence Of Diet-Related NCDs

SEREMBAN, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry (MOH) through the National Lactation Centre, has launched the MADANI Private Hospital Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) 2025 to promote breastfeeding and reduce the prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Its deputy minister, Datuk Lukanisman Awang said partnership between the public and private sectors to implement BFHI and support nursing mothers with confidence and respect was a shared responsibility.

“The core objectives of this tour, which is in line with the National Nutrition Policy, include expanding BFHI promotion, ensuring more private hospitals join the movement of nursing mothers, strengthening community support so that nursing mothers do not feel isolated and can confidently nurse their children,” he said at the launch of the initiative here today.

Such inclusive efforts would ensure the health of both mother and child, and allow more Malaysians to support breastfeeding, he said, adding that 31 private hospitals are participating in the initiative.

“Nursing exclusively contributes to a natural diet that’s safe, pollutant-free, and supports sustainable public health and reduces dependence on industry-based baby food products that stress the environment.

Currently, 31 out of 180 private hospitals have been accredited as BFHI… congratulations to 20 KPJ Healthcare hospitals for being the hospital consortium with the most accredited hospitals,” he said.

The hospitals that will be visited during the tour include Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre and KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital (Aug 1); Assunta Hospital and Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Aug 19); KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital (Aug 29); Pusrawi Kuala Lumpur Specialist Hospital, KPJ Tawakkal and KPJ Sentosa KL (Sept 2); Penang Adventist Hospital, Lam Wah Ee and KPJ Penang (Sept 13); KPJ Sabah (Sept 18), KPJ Pasir Gudang and Johor Specialist (Sept 22–23).

Lukanisman said there were 15 hospitals being in the final stage of training by the National Lactation Centre together with the state health department to receive BFHI accredition while 65 hospitals are being in the process of initial training.

BFHI is a global initiative under the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that began in 1991 with the goal of protecting, supporting and promoting breastfeeding.

-- BERNAMA