KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's largest private healthcare provider, KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KPJ Healthcare), reinforced its commitment to maternal and child health through the MADANI Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) Tour 2025 for the Central Region on Thursday.
KPJ Healthcare, in a statement, announced that the event, organised by the National Lactation Centre, Ministry of Health (MOH), took place at Tawakkal Specialist Hospital (TSH) and was officiated by the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad.
In the statement, Dzulkefly said he also welcomed KPJ Healthcare's leadership in promoting exclusive breastfeeding practices.
KPJ Healthcare president and managing director Chin Keat Chyuan said at the launch of the programme that 20 KPJ hospitals nationwide have received BFHI recognition, the highest number in the private sector.
“We see this as part of our responsibility to set benchmarks for quality care, in line with the 'Care for Life' that we practice in every aspect of patient care," he said.
However, Chin said the BFHI is not just about accreditation, but about giving every baby the best start in life and ensuring mothers receive full support throughout their breastfeeding journey.
According to KPJ Healthcare, BFHI is a global initiative by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) that recognises hospitals prioritising breastfeeding as the foundation for a healthy start to life.
Accreditation needs strict compliance, including “10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" as well as achieving an exclusive breastfeeding rate of at least 75 per cent among mothers who have been discharged.
TSH has received BFHI recognition since November 2014 and has now entered its fourth renewal cycle, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to breastfeeding and mother-child care.
"Other KPJ hospitals in the Central Region also maintain a strong accreditation record, with some now entering their seventh cycle," according to the statement.
Meanwhile, a total of 10 KPJ hospitals in the Central Region are participating in the MADANI BFHI Tour. These include Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, KPJ Selangor Specialist Hospital, KPJ Kajang Specialist Hospital, Damansara Specialist Hospital and KPJ Rawang Specialist Hospital, with TSH as the host.
According to KPJ Healthcare, the programme also saw the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week at the private hospital level with the theme "Prioritise Breastfeeding: Build a Sustainable Support System," which emphasised the shared responsibility of healthcare providers, families, and the community in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
The MADANI BFHI Central Region Tour also featured educational booths by KPJ hospitals, with back massage demonstrations for mothers, milk expression and storage methods, and baby massage techniques.
The activity was supported by expert-led talks and free counselling sessions from the KPJ BFHI team, aimed at educating and empowering mothers.
-- BERNAMA
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