Policy Analysis in Healthcare Provision

This document discusses the critical policy analysis in healthcare provision, specifically focusing on the breastfeeding policy for infants. It explores the significance of breastfeeding in reducing child mortality rate and promoting healthy growth and development. The document also highlights the goals, objectives, and decision parameters of the policy.

Running head: POLICY ANALYSIS 1
Policy, politics and power in healthcare provision
Name
Institution

POLICY ANALYIS 2
Abstract
The thesis of the term paper presented is based on the critical policy analysis in health provision
centers in order to facilitate better healthcare provision by medical practitioners to the members
of the public. Policy, politics and power analysis in health care provision entails designing a
better medical policy which will be adopted by most of the health care facilities within the
country so as to ensure a healthy nation.
The policy designed policy should be analyzed critically by the research team or the policy
developers in order to determine the impact of the policy on society and to the medical
practitioners as a whole.
Breast feeding policy is designed by the medical practitioners for lactating and expectant moms
to adopt for better health of their newborn.

POLICY ANALYIS 3
Introduction
Significant of the policy
The policy formulated for the analysis is the breastfeeding policy for the infant.
Breastfeeding for the infant babies has been discovered to be more nutritious and healthy in
terms of the nutrients content as it contains various minerals which are essential for the growth
and development of the baby.
The essential minerals in breast milk are responsible for developing a strong immune system
for the infant thus prevents and fights out disease-causing organism in the body. Breastfeeding is
significant to both mothers and infants since during the process of breastfeeding, a bond between
the mother and a baby is created hence the baby will experience mother love which is very
essential for healthy growth and development of the baby (Beghin & Bureau, 2017).
Breastfeeding policy for the infant babies will help to keep the baby free from other illness
and disease-causing germs since breast milk is free from germs or any contamination which may
cause illness to the infant. One of the advantage of the breastfed milk to the infants is that it is
easily digestible as their digestive system is very weak and not fully developed to contain and
digest other natural foodstuffs. For easy digestion and absorption process by the body,
breastfeeding for the infants below six months of age is recommended by most of the medical
practitioners.

POLICY ANALYIS 4
Breastfeeding policy will help to reduce the high child mortality rate to infants below five
years. This is made possible by breastfeeding the baby for the first six months after birth without
offering any food substance to the baby so as to strengthens the infant's immune system hence in
case of the disease outbreak or any infection, the immune system will fight out the diseases
causing organisms which might cause harm to the baby.
Reasons for breastfeeding policy
The main reason for the breastfeeding policy in health care provision for new mothers was
to ensure the healthy development of the children thus following the report from child clinic
hospitals which showed an increase in child’s infection as large number of kids are admitted
daily with different infections. The main reason why infants fall sick easily is identified to be a
weak immune system that cannot help the body to fight out some of the minor infections. From
the research conducted in most of the child health clinics within the country, it was noted that the
cause of weak immune system for children was as a result of poor breastfeeding cycle hence the
breasting feeding policy was adopted in most of the health care facilities (Javaid, Arshad, Ahmad
& Kazmi, 2019).
Breastfeeding policy was always enacted on the basis of its nutrient content which is
responsible for the strong body development. Body organs like brain, bones and other body
senses require specific minerals like calcium at the early stage of growth so as to fully develop
and properly functions. Such minerals are only available in breast milk in a correct quantity,
therefore, breastfeeding policy for health care provision was enacted (Hankins, Macklin &
Warren, 2015).

POLICY ANALYIS 5
Following high rate of child mortality in the country, that is most of the children are dying at
the age below five years due to minor illness. The minor illness causing such deaths among the
infants is due to weak body immune system which is a result of poor breastfeeding method by
new mothers. To boost the immunity system of the infant, scientist and the policymakers have
enacted the breastfeeding policy for the new mothers in health care provider which will
strengthen the immunity of the infants at an early age.
Policy document summary
The breast feeding policy in health care provision for the new mothers requires an infant to
be breast fed for a minimum period of six months before being introduced to any food substance.
This is essential since it introducing foreign food substance apart from breast milk may
complicate the digestion system of the infant which takes a minimum of six months to fully
develop (Marttunen, Lienert & Belton, 2017).
In the process of breastfeeding, it necessary for the mother to look and smiles to the infant so
as to reduce psychological depression an infant may experience due to the change in
environment. This will boost the child’s psychological development like feelings, emotions and
love.
The documented policy on healthcare provision will require every breastfeeding mothers to
routinely report to the nearest child clinic for a checkup about the progress of the development
and growth of the baby.

POLICY ANALYIS 6
Policy analysis
Problem formulation
Policy analysis is an art which its main purpose is to find a solution for problems
experienced by the member of the public. The formulated problem for the policy was based on
the health matters on the development and growth infants in terms of feeding habit and their
overall health status so as to reduce the rate of child mortality in the country (Dunn, 2015).
In an attempt to ensure a healthy generation and reduce the mortality rate among underage
children, breastfeeding policy in health care provision was formulated by the scientist and
medical practitioners for the new mothers. Breastfeeding is a determinant of a healthy being of
an individual since early childhood nutrition is essential for the development of the body tissues
and organs for a healthier future (Govindan, Rajendran, Sarkis & Murugesan, 2015).
Policy analysis framework
The policy analysis framework is essential for successful enactment of the policy that is
breastfeeding policy in health care provision. The frameworks can be categorized into three
classes that are economic framework, social and environmental framework. The identified policy
framework analysis is discussed in the context below (Bowen & Murshid, 2016).
Economic framework. The economic framework of the policy entails the cost-benefit
analysis of the policy. Breastfeeding policy will be cost effective upon enactment by the hospital
management and also new mothers since it will reduce the treatment cost incurred by new mums

POLICY ANALYIS 7
and the government as a whole in the provision of drugs and other treatment facilities
(Robertson, Torgerson & van der Giessen, 2018).
The cost-effectiveness in the implementation of the policy for instance while creating public
awareness of the policy and also educating the public on the benefit of breastfeeding to young
ones who have not attained the age of six months will be moderate since it only focuses on the
female being especially new and expectant mothers (Mishan, 2015). The effectiveness of the
policy is very high following an increasing number of the newborn babies in a day and therefore
few personnel will be needed to enlighten people on the policy as a good percentage of
awareness programs is conducted in hospitals where expectant mothers are advised accordingly
based on the policy (De Gruyter, Ford & Stavreski, 2016).
The opportunity cost for implementing the policy to an assumption of the policy is low
since assumption of the policy that is breastfeeding policy by new mums will adversely affect the
health status of the newborn which will be more expensive to treat or control in the near future
(Greco, Figueira & Ehrgott, 2016).
Environmental framework. Breastfeeding policy in health care provision has positively
impact the entire environmental framework due to better control and prevention strategies that
have been put in place by the policy makers (Mazzucato, 2016).

POLICY ANALYIS 8
Social framework. Social framework of the breasting feeding policy in health care provision
by new moms is determined by the community acceptance and participation in the
implementation of the policy. The social framework will also define the impact of the
breastfeeding policy to the public, household’s members to be specific, that is either positive or
negative (Macharis & Bernardini, 2015).
Community participation in policy enactment is considered a sign of the acceptance of the
policy by the members of the community. They assist in the education and creating awareness to
the public about the new policy especially to the female gender so as to embrace the
breastfeeding policy for the better health of their newborn (Michailidou, Vlachokostas &
Moussiopoulos, 2016).
Breastfeeding policy will positively impact the public since it’s a control measure of early
childhood death caused by poor development. The policy is designed to reduce the mortality
among the newborn within the community hence positively impacts the lives of many in the
community (Rohani & Murray, 2018).
Policy goals and objectives
Breastfeeding policy for health care providers for the newborn babies and lactating moms is
aimed at reducing the mortality rate among the newborn baby. Following high child mortality
rate, that is the death of the children before the age of five, has become a major threat to the
world health organizations as the mortality rate keeps on rising in most of the third world
countries. The policy was enacted to provide a solution for the mortality rate in Africa and other
underdeveloped countries.

POLICY ANALYIS 9
From the study by the medical research team, breast milk is believed to contain all the
necessary required nutrients in immunity development thus leading to the enactment of the
breastfeeding policy for lactating mothers in order to control and reduce the case of child
mortality in third world countries.
The policy was also aimed at ensuring full growth and development of the infant’s body
organs. At birth, the infant's body organs are not fully developed like the digestive system,
therefore, for full development and growth of such organs, necessary nutrients are required by
their body to facilitate the development process. Breast milk is therefore preferred since it
contains all the required nutrients which essential for the development and growth of such organs
(Wei, Alsaadi, Hayat & Alsaedi, 2017).
The objective of the breastfeeding policy in health care provision is to reduce the cost of
medical treatment and control strategies employed by the government and other non-government
organization in treatment and providence of the drugs to cure such infections.
One of the goals for the enactment of breastfeeding for the lactating mothers is to ensure
zero child mortality case and to improve the health status of children as a whole. The goals will
be made realistic upon enactment of the policy and embracement by the members of the public
who will work together in order to control the mortality rate among the infants through
breastfeeding of infants up to a minimum of six months.
Policy decision parameters

POLICY ANALYIS 10
Policy decision parameters include all the necessary equipment or resources in order to
decide on the enactment of the policy. Such parameters influencing the decision on the policy
regarding health care provision that is breastfeeding for the new babies before the age of six
months by lactating mom includes resources, time frames and the priorities.
Resources. Resources are the determinant for the enactment of breastfeeding policy by
lactating mothers. Enough resources should be availed to the team members who will be
educating and creating awareness to the public about the breastfeeding policy. The cost of the
requirements will impact the decision about the policy since it should not be costly in
implementation for its consideration (Svensson, 2016).
Resources also include the volunteers needed for creating awareness to the members of the
public about the policy so they can get to understand the benefits and need for the policy
concerning the health of their babies.
Timeframes. Timeframes for the implementation of the policy should be considered in
decision making on the enactment of the policy on breastfeeding to the health of the public.
Duration required by the policymakers that are the medical research team to complete create
awareness about the breastfeeding policy to the members of the public is considered a factor
since the process should take a minimum time which is less costly to the medical department
(Saarikoski, Mustajoki, Barton, Geneletti Langemeyer, Gomez-Baggethun, & Santos, 2016).
Priorities. The priority given to the policy that is breastfeeding for health provision to the
newborn babies will determine the decision made regarding the implementation of the policy.
The urgency of the policy thus the problem it addresses will determine whether the policy will be

POLICY ANALYIS 11
used by the policymakers so as to aid or curb the issue in question. Issue at hand in this scenario
is the rate of child mortality hence the urgency of the policy is necessary in order to reduce the
mortality rate among the underage children who are below five years of age. The urgent to
control and save the lives of newborn is considered a priority by medical practitioners thus
following the high mortality rate and illness affecting the newborn babies as made the policy to
be implemented urgently (Sanders, Neumann, Basu, Brock, Feeny, Krahn & Salomon, 2016).
Policy alternative
The alternative policy for breastfeeding policy in healthcare provisions to the newborn babies
has not been identified since breastfeeding policy is the best practice in health care provision for
the infants. This is because it provides the solution to the root cause of child mortality cases
within the country which is basically the immunity boost for growth and development of the
body organs for an infant which will enable the body to fight out some of the minor illness
(Weimer & Vining, 2017).
Experts opinions on the breastfeeding policy in healthcare provision has considered the
policy as the best control of child mortality cases and prevention of nutritional complications
which may affect the underage kids due to poor balancing in their diet (Vogel & Henstra, 2015).
Conclusion

POLICY ANALYIS 12
Breastfeeding policy analysis by the expert and the medical research team has proved to be
the best control measures of child mortality which has negatively affect the population
composition in developing countries since most of the kids' lost their lives at an early stage of
life due to infection which could be prevented just through breastfeeding. Breastfed babies for
the period more than six months are more active than others who were not breastfed as per the
policy as their immunity system is very strong hence can fight minor disease-causing organisms
from the body. Such kids are stronger and resistance to infection, therefore, are not prone to
sickness as compared to the other group of kids (Wu, Ramesh & Howlett, 2015).
Breast milk contains valuable minerals which are more important to the growth and
development of the brain and other body organs which will determine a child’s ability to think
and reason critically. The minerals in breast milk will ensure strong bone formation and growth
for the infant thus facilitate faster growth to the infants.
The best option or solution to curb or control child mortality rate and have a healthy
generation in future, the implementation for the breastfeeding policy in health care provision
should be facilitated by creating public awareness on the breastfeeding policy in order to educate
the public on the benefit of breastfeeding to the newborn babies below six months without
feeding them with any external food be it milk from other sources (Zohlnhöfer, Herweg & Huß,
2016).

POLICY ANALYIS 13
Recommendations
1. Breast feeding policy should be prioritized in implementation by the medical practitioners
and the responsible medical team so as to prevent and control the current mortality rate among
the infants which is very high. This will be possible through the creation of public awareness and
educating the public on the benefit of breastfeeding to the infants.
2. Expectant mothers and lactating mothers should breast feed their new born babies so as
ensure proper body development and faster growth of their babies. Breast milk contains essential
minerals which strengthen bones and other body organs.
3. World health organization and another medical research department worldwide should
support the breastfeeding policy by financing the awareness process and educating the public on
the benefit of breastfeeding in order to improve the health status of the newborn.

POLICY ANALYIS 14
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