Al Qasimi Women and Children's Hospital, operating under the Emirates Health Services, has received the 'Child and Family Friendly Institution' accreditation from the Sharjah Child Friendly Office, which falls under the Sharjah Health Authority.
Dr Issam Al Zarooni, Executive Director of the Medical Services Sector at Emirates Health Services, said the accreditation reflects the maturity of Al Qasimi Women and Children's Hospital's institutional framework and its ability to translate child- and family-supportive care concepts into sustainable policies and practices that go beyond direct healthcare services to encompass the work environment, institutional culture, and the experience of both employees and service users.
Dr Safia Al Khaja, Director of Al Qasimi Women and Children's Hospital, said the accreditation embodies the hospital's commitment to developing a work environment that supports children and families by adopting institutional practices and policies that promote quality of life and work-life balance. She noted that the hospital continues to embed an institutional culture centred on supporting employees and their families and providing a more inclusive and flexible environment, which has a positive impact on the quality of healthcare services and the experience of service users.
The 'Child and Family Friendly Institution' accreditation is awarded to institutions that work to promote and develop child- and family-friendly policies and practices with a view to expanding their reach. The hospital's evaluation was based on a set of criteria encompassing sustainability, inclusivity, innovation, and institutional culture. The hospital demonstrated its commitment to implementing internal policies that support families and employees, as well as ensuring staff awareness of those policies through electronic newsletters and the adoption of relevant local legislation.
Al Qasimi Women and Children's Hospital has also received the 'Baby-Friendly Hospital' accreditation from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in recognition of its efforts to promote breastfeeding and implement practices that support mothers and children.