Six hospitals secure baby-friendly status

Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton (standing at centre) with representatives of the six hospitals which attained Baby-Friendly Hospital status. Seated at centre is Senior Nutritionist, Ninian Blair. (Ministry of Public Health photo)

Six hospitals were on Monday conferred with Baby-Friendly Hospital Status, according to a release from the Ministry of Public Health yesterday.

The six are the West Demerara Regional Hospital, Davis Memorial Hospital, Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, Mahdia District Hospital, Lethem Regional Hospital and the Upper Demerara Hospital.

Among the criteria for baby friendly hospital status are to have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff, informing all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breast feeding and giving newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated.