The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched jointly by?

AIIMS Delhi NO - 2018

Obstetrics and Midwifery Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO - 2018

Explanation

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched in 1991 as a joint effort by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
This global initiative aims to implement practices that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in maternity facilities.
The foundation of the BFHI is the 'Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding,' a set of evidence-based practices for hospitals.
The initiative followed the Innocenti Declaration of 1990, which set international goals for breastfeeding promotion.

Option A: The Red Cross is a humanitarian organization focused on disaster relief and emergency assistance, not a co-launcher of this specific public health initiative for breastfeeding.
Option B: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) focuses on broader issues of global food security, nutrition, and agriculture, not on hospital-based breastfeeding support programs.
Option D: While UNICEF is a correct part of the answer, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was not a partner in launching the BFHI. The initiative's focus is on healthcare practices, which aligns with WHO's mandate.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Origin and partners of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
For nurses, the BFHI provides a clear, evidence-based framework for providing optimal support to breastfeeding mothers, which is a core nursing responsibility in maternal and child health.
Working in a BFHI-accredited hospital means nurses are trained and empowered to help mothers initiate breastfeeding early, manage common difficulties, and practice rooming-in, leading to better health outcomes for both mother and infant.
What if? If a hospital is not BFHI-certified, a nurse's role becomes even more critical. They must act as advocates, independently applying the principles of the 'Ten Steps' to educate patients, challenge non-supportive hospital routines (like unnecessary formula supplementation), and ensure mothers receive the support they need.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the 'Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)'.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of major global health programs and the organizations that lead them.
Consider the mandates of the organizations listed in the options. WHO and UNICEF are heavily involved in maternal and child health, making them likely candidates.
Recall or deduce that the BFHI is a healthcare-focused initiative. This makes the partnership between WHO (health) and UNICEF (children) the most logical pairing.
Eliminate options with organizations whose primary mandates are different, such as the Red Cross (humanitarian aid) and FAO (food/agriculture).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Origin and partners of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)
Stem keywords: Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, BFHI, launched
Lead-in keywords: jointly by

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