More than 500,000 new mothers in Middle East receive health and hygiene education through the Mission for Health

This education programme has reach over 60% of all pregnant women in the four countries currently participating in the scheme. It was found that new mothers were not sure of the correct way to use antibacterial products in order to safeguard their new borns, therefore the Mission for Health created a programme to provide advice and assistance. The aim of the initiative is to provide new mothers with facts, figures, tips and tools to help them make educated choices about how to protect themselves and their children from germs and infections.

In a recent survey commissioned by the Mission for Health, only 35% of the population in the region washes their hands with soap approximately five times a day, which indicates that health and hygiene standards are currently below the global average. 71% of people surveyed also consider one of the biggest sources of germs being unclean surfaces. The new mothers programme teaches women and families how to make small changes to their daily hygiene routines that will have a positive effect on the health of their new born.

Commenting on the success of the new mothers programme, Dr. Hanan Shaban, Medical Marketing Manager, Reckitt Benckiser, Middle East said: "New born babies are very vulnerable and susceptible to germs and infections. With family and friends visiting the mother and baby, it is important that the mother is educated in ways to keep herself and her baby safe. We work with a number of hospitals in the region and have dedicated practitioners that visit new mothers, giving them advice and tips like washing their hands before feeding, asking visitors to use a hand sanitizer before holding the baby and using an antibacterial surface cleaner in the home to kill germs. These tips will ultimately reduce the spread of germs keeping mother, baby and family free from infections. We're delighted that the programme has reached so many mothers in 2012, and we look forward to working with more hospitals in 2013."