The Ministry of Health has launched a new telephone service for families requiring advice on care for their newborn babies. The toll free number of the ministry for medical assistance is 800-249-4444.

Ten doctors have been assigned to the 24-hour service, which is for emergency situations when there are no other doctors available, said Nehar Al-Azmi, assistant deputy minister for hospital affairs, on Thursday, on the ministry’s website.

Al-Azmi said the doctors would provide expert advice on high-risk cases, particularly babies needing aid to breathe or surgical intervention. There would be a focus on those who weigh less than 1.8 kg and less than 23 weeks old.

Al-Azmi said that the ministry was committed to providing top quality care for patients throughout the country, particularly those needing life-saving intervention.