Eighteen Abu Dhabi Hospitals Recognised For Excellence In Maternal And Infant Health Monitoring

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and Khalifa University, has acknowledged 18 hospitals for their exceptional contribution to the Emirate’s inaugural maternal and infant health monitoring programme. This initiative, launched in 2023, aims to revolutionise healthcare for mothers and children by integrating various data types to track pregnancy and postnatal experiences comprehensively.

Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact at ECA, expressed the programme's significance: "In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, we’ve established a programme that listens to mothers, captures their lived experiences and provides valuable insights into how pregnancy journeys affect both maternal and child health. This in-depth understanding is helping us tailor support and care that reflect the real needs of families across our community."

Initially piloted in 2023 at four hospitals—Corniche Hospital, Danat Al Emarat Hospital, Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, and Madinat Zayed Hospital—the programme ensured diverse demographic involvement through randomised participation. By mid-2025, it had expanded to include 18 hospitals throughout Abu Dhabi, engaging over 3,417 mothers.

The hospitals recognised for their efforts include Corniche Hospital, Danat Al Emarat Hospital, Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, Madinat Zayed Hospital, Kanad Hospital, Tawam Hospital, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, NMC Royal Women’s Hospital LTD, Burjeel Hospital LLC, NMC Specialty Hospital LTD – Abu Dhabi among others.

The monitoring programme's core objectives are to generate real-time insights that enhance maternal and infant health outcomes. It focuses on key areas such as breastfeeding rates, maternal nutrition, mental health, and birth weight. Understanding social and behavioural factors contributing to low birth weight is crucial for proactive interventions.

Dr. Rashed Obaid Al Suwaidi from ADPHC highlighted the initiative's importance: "This initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to building a world-class, prevention-focused public health ecosystem. The Maternal and Infant Health Monitoring Programme harnesses real-time data to help us deeply understand the factors shaping maternal and child health, and to design interventions that are timely, targeted, and equitable."

Comprehensive Data Integration

This programme serves as a foundation for evidence-based policymaking by integrating behavioural, social, economic, and clinical data. It aims to provide a holistic view of maternal and infant health journeys across the Emirate. Such comprehensive monitoring supports proactive health interventions tailored to community needs.

The initiative not only addresses immediate healthcare needs but also enables long-term support by identifying social determinants of health. This approach ensures that interventions are both timely and equitable across different demographics within Abu Dhabi.

The collaborative efforts between ECA and ADPHC demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing public health standards in Abu Dhabi. By focusing on real-time data collection and analysis, the programme aims to improve healthcare outcomes for mothers and infants significantly.

With inputs from WAM