Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Congress

Overview

More than 300 people attended the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) Congress which took place from 24 to 26 October made up of over 130 government delegates, over 20 development partners (NGOs, international professional associations and donors) and a number of technical professionals from UNICEF and WHO country, regional and headquarter offices. These met to discuss and share successes as well as lessons learned from the implementation of the BFHI. They worked to help shape the operational guidance for future implementation of the Initiative.

High-level officials of WHO and UNICEF welcomed all participants and opened the Congress. The objectives of the BFHI Congress were then presented:

• Celebrate achievements in improving quality of care for breastfeeding mothers
• Examine the current status of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative
• Discuss new guidance on country implementation of the Ten Steps for Successful Breastfeeding
• Form or strengthen regional networks to improve country programmes for maternity facilities