HMC honors doctor for international recognition of AKH Breastfeeding Program

At a function held at Al Khor hospital, senior management staff from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) honored Dr. Mohammed IIyas Khan, Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Al Khor Hospital, for successfully working towards AKH Breastfeeding Program getting international recognition.

AKH Breastfeeding Program, which is also Qatar’s first integrated multidisciplinary breastfeeding program (SAY YES TO BREASTFEEDING INITIATIVE), is awarded the BCLC Care Certificate by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA).

The award to AKH Breastfeeding Program is recognition by the international bodies as AKH being one of the 34 top breastfeeding centers worldwide. This pioneering center is the second breastfeeding center in the Gulf and Middle East to achieve the global accreditation by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Mr. Mohd Al Jussaiman, Executive Director, Al Khor Hospital (AKH), Dr. Hani Al Kilani, Chief of Medical Staff, AKH, Dr. Hussein Shararah, Chairman Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, AKH and Mr. Mohamed Mubarak Al Noaimi, Executive Director, Marketing, Media and Public Relations, HMC were present at the occasion to honor Dr. Ilyas Khan.

“Al Khor Hospital’s breastfeeding program is now globally recognized in the medical and scientific arenas as a pioneering program that cares for the mother and child health. This has been achieved due to the relentless efforts exerted by HMC leadership and its continuous support to all creative initiatives that help to achieve HMC vision and mission” Mr. Al Jussaiman said.

He further lauded the efforts of Dr. Mohad IIyas who has been demonstrating continuous commitment and dedication, together with the hospital’s working teams, till the breastfeeding program achieved global accreditation and the hospital is announced as a mother and child friend.

Mr. Al-Noaimi conveyed the congratulations of Dr. Hanan Al-Kuwari, the Managing Director of HMC, to Dr. Ilyas wishing him all success in the programs he introduces to Al-Khor Hospital and presented him a plaque in recognition for the high valued contributions he shared with HMC, in general and Al-Khor Hospital, in particular.

Dr. Ilyas on his part expressed happiness for realizing this impressive achievement and extended thanks and appreciations for all those who supported him in receiving this recognition in particular Dr. Haleima Al-Tamimi, Chairperson of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Women’s Hospital who welcomed the eminent commissioning of a breastfeeding clinic at Al-Khor Hospital.

Dr. Ilyas further appreciated the role played by the Media Department at HMC for promoting this pioneering program among the public. He also hailed Dr. Abdulatif Al-Khal, Director of Medical Education, for his diligent endeavors in supporting physicians and nurses continuous education in the field of breastfeeding.

It worth noting that this program has received (900) breastfeeding cases form new mothers, during the year 2010, and managed to resolve them in time.