The Ministry of Health and Food Safety has issued the Maternal and Child-Friendly Health Institution Programme Operation Guidelines, 2083, announcing the new rules through a press note. The guidelines set 10 standards each for postpartum mothers and newborns and aim to uphold their rights while protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. The ministry says the document replaces and reorganizes an earlier guideline from 2073.
A new framework for health facilities
The guidelines focus on making services in health institutions more mother- and child-friendly. Under the new framework, facilities must meet separate sets of 10 standards for postpartum mothers and newborns. The ministry’s announcement establishes those requirements, although the press note summary does not detail the individual standards.
The programme’s title reflects its focus on the care provided to mothers and children in health institutions. By setting out standards for both postpartum mothers and newborns, the guidelines address the two groups together within a single programme framework.
Replacing the earlier guideline
The new document replaces the Mother and Child-Friendly Service Campaign in Health Institutions Guideline, 2073. The ministry said the 2083 guidelines better organize the earlier guidance, making the revised document the basis for the programme going forward.
The change is presented as an update and reorganization of the existing approach, rather than as a separate initiative. The ministry has not provided further details in the announcement about how the standards differ from those in the 2073 guideline.
Rights and breastfeeding support
The ministry says the guidelines are intended to ensure the rights of mothers and newborns and to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Those aims sit alongside the requirement for health facilities to meet the standards for postpartum care and newborn services.
The announcement sets out the programme’s scope and purpose, but does not list the individual facility requirements, explain how compliance will be assessed or provide a timeline for implementation. It also does not specify what support or oversight will be available to facilities as they work to meet the standards.
