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

AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Obstetrics and Midwifery Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program launched jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
It was established in 1991 to encourage maternity facilities worldwide to implement practices that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding from birth.
The initiative is built upon the 'Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding,' a set of evidence-based practices for optimal infant feeding and maternal care.
Hospitals are assessed against these global criteria and, if compliant, are designated as 'Baby-Friendly'.

Option A: The Red Cross is a vital humanitarian organization focused on disaster relief, blood donation, and community health education, but it was not a founding partner of the BFHI.
Option B: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a UN agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security. Its focus is on agriculture and food systems, not hospital-based maternal and child health initiatives.
Option D: While UNICEF is a correct partner, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was not involved in launching the BFHI. The FAO's mandate is centered on food security and agriculture, which is distinct from the BFHI's focus on clinical practices for breastfeeding support.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Sponsoring organizations of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses are central to implementing BFHI by educating mothers, assisting with correct latching and positioning, and ensuring adherence to the Ten Steps.
Working in a BFHI-certified hospital means nurses play a key role in a proven strategy to reduce infant morbidity and mortality by promoting the health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
What if? If a mother cannot breastfeed for medical reasons (e.g., taking certain medications, infant has galactosemia), the nurse's role shifts to providing education and support for safe alternative feeding methods, ensuring the infant receives adequate nutrition while still respecting the principles of BFHI where possible.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question about a major global health initiative.
First, identify the core subject from the question stem: 'Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)'.
Second, recall or deduce the primary international bodies concerned with child and maternal health. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) are the most prominent global leaders in this field.
Third, scan the options to find the pair that correctly matches these two key organizations.
Eliminate options containing organizations with different primary mandates, such as the Red Cross (humanitarian aid) and the FAO (food and agriculture).
Select the option that correctly pairs UNICEF and WHO as the joint launchers of the initiative.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Sponsoring organizations of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).
Stem keywords: Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, BFHI, launched jointly
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Negative lead-in flag: false

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