San Fernando General Hospital Achieves Baby-Friendly Accreditation
Five out of the six general hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago have achieved the global standard of being baby-friendly hospitals.
The latest addition is the San Fernando General Hospital.
A PAHO/WHO Baby-Friendly accreditation signifies that a maternity facility meets global standards set by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to support and promote breastfeeding.
Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday where the accreditation was handed over to the San Fernando General Hospital, Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe said San Fernando is the fifth of the six general hospitals to get this accreditation, with Port of Spain hopefully being next.
He said the accomplishment is a major milestone and a reflection of the excellence the government is creating in healthcare.
« This accomplishment reflects your professionalism, teamwork and steadfast commitment to excellence in maternal and newborn care. This milestone also reflects our Ministry’s nationwide system-wide efforts to embed quality maternal and newborn care best practices into our hospital culture. »
He said midwives should also be commended for the role they play in baby health.
Minister Bodoe referenced the government’s move to expand maternity and paternity protection as an example of its wider commitment to families.
« Paid breastfeeding breaks and stronger policies against workplace discrimination, and I have to claim a little credit here for the paid breastfeeding breaks. Again, you learn from your own personal experience. You know, when mothers have to leave the workplace or find a spot in the workplace to breastfeed, or perhaps to step out to breastfeed where the baby is at a nursery, it’s important. »
The PAHO/WHO representative for Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Gabriel Vivas Francesconi, called for more awareness among mothers so they know that breastfeeding is the best choice for their child’s health.
He is also calling on governments to do more to protect mothers and babies from breast milk substitutes.
« While the international quota for the marketing of breast milk substitutes exists, we support national legislation to protect the population from an industry whose goal is economic gain at any cost. Just last week there was a recall of breast milk substitutes because of the possible presence of contaminants. We need to continue monitoring these situations. »
A baby-friendly accredited hospital provides an environment where mothers receive consistent, evidence-based care and education to successfully breastfeed, starting from birth and beyond.
