Government issues mother-newborn friendly directive to protect rights

The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has issued a new directive to ensure the rights of mothers and newborns and to protect and promote breastfeeding.

The ministry said the 'Mother-Newborn Friendly Health Institution Program Operation Directive, 2083' adds new provisions to the earlier 2073 campaign directive.

Under the new provisions, health institutions must follow separate mandatory standards for postpartum mothers and newborns. During delivery, mothers must be allowed to have a family member of their choice stay with them.

Priority has been given to provisions requiring that newborns be placed on the same bed as the mother immediately after birth and that breastfeeding be initiated early. There is also a provision requiring that every mother's privacy and dignity be protected during delivery using curtains or screens in the delivery room.

Even when more than one postpartum mother is kept in the same room, each one's privacy must be maintained. The directive's main objective is for hospitals and health institutions to provide services according to the rights and needs of mothers and newborns.