Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital earns ‘Child and Family Friendly’ accreditation from Sharjah Health Authority
Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Sharjah, part of Emirates Health Services (EHS), has earned the ‘Child and Family Friendly’ accreditation from the Sharjah Child Friendly Office, an affiliate of the Sharjah Health Authority.
This achievement highlights the hospital’s commitment to fostering policies and practices that support children and families, in addition to establishing a work environment that aligns with international standards in family-centered care.
His Excellency Dr. Essam Al Zarooni, Executive Director of the Medical Services Sector at EHS, said: “Earning the ‘Child and Family Friendly’ accreditation reflects the level of maturity our organizational systems have achieved, underlining our ability to translate the principles of child and family support into sustainable policies and practices that extend beyond direct clinical care to influence our workplace culture, organisational environment, and the overall experience of our staff and patients.”
For her part, Dr. Safiya AlKhajeh, Director of Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital, confirmed: “Receiving this accreditation demonstrates our ongoing dedication to developing a nurturing work environment that promotes the wellbeing of children and families through institutional practices that enhance quality of life and work-life balance. The hospital continues to work to establish a workplace culture rooted in supporting our teams and ensuring inclusivity, which, in turn, positively impacts the quality of our healthcare services and the experience of our patients and their families.”
The ‘Child and Family Friendly’ accreditation is awarded to organizations that promote child- and family-centric policies and practices, with the aim of expanding and improving these initiatives. Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital was assessed based on a set of standards covering sustainability, inclusivity, innovation, and organizational culture. The evaluation confirmed the hospital’s commitment to implementing internal policies that support families and staff members, highlighting its efforts to raise awareness through digital communications and its adherence to relevant local laws.
The assessment process included reviewing employee benefits and family support measures, considering medical needs of families, and providing flexible working hours where necessary. Additionally, the hospital’s efforts to foster community partnerships with organizations involved in childhood, youth, and family affairs were also examined, along with its efforts to launch awareness campaigns and supportive services.
During the evaluation, the hospital team provided an overview of the policies and practices it has implemented, while the assessment team conducted a site visit to observe ongoing initiatives and services. Following a review of documentation, presentation, and discussions with staff, the Sharjah Child Friendly Office confirmed that the hospital effectively met all required standards and is thus eligible for the accreditation.
Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital previously received the ‘Baby-Friendly Hospital’ accreditation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF for its efforts in promoting breastfeeding and implementing practices that support children and mothers.
