Fiji Journal of Public Health  2012;1(2):1-9

An Internal Assessment on the Baby Friendly Hospital

Manisha Shankar ; Timaima B Tuiketei ; Viema L Biaukula

Country

Fiji

Language

English

Abstract

Nausori Maternity Unit was declared a Baby Friendly Hospital in 2008 and has successfully maintained its status as such thus far. The objectives of this qualitative study was to conduct an internal audit into the BFHI at NMU through interviews, observation and hospital records, and secondly to make necessary recommendations to the Ministry of Health. 51 staf members, 128 mothers and 101 members from the general public were interviewed. The WHO BFHI internal monitoring tool was utilized in analyzing the results of the study. NMU met the criteria for 8 of the 10 steps in the breastfeeding policy. Step 2 requires that there be refresher courses for staf every 2 years; there has not been any refresher course since 2008. Step 10 requires that mothers be referred to breastfeeding support groups upon discharge; again NMU failed to comply. Ths, the overall compliance aftr the assessment came to 92%.