AIMS Mohali accredited as breastfeeding-friendly hospital, following in footsteps of Command Hospital Pune
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
In a big win for maternal and child health in India, the Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Mohali, Punjab, has earned a special accreditation as a breastfeeding-friendly hospital. This makes it the only state government medical college in the country to achieve this under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), following just the Command Hospital in Pune among government facilities.
The news comes from a press statement by DPRO SAS Nagar. Director-Principal Dr Bhavneet Bharti shared exciting details: Out of 71 BFHI-accredited facilities across India, nearly half (39) belong to the Armed Forces. Telangana tops the list for state-run facilities, while a handful of private medical colleges have also made the cut. But AIMS Mohali stands out as the sole government one from any state.
The Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), India’s official body for BFHI checks, handled the accreditation. Leading the charge is Dr Arun Gupta, BPNI’s Central Coordinator and a dedicated champion for breastfeeding and child health. Under his guidance, India sticks to global standards to protect and promote breastfeeding nationwide.
On August 5, 2024, an on-site inspection happened, led by Dr Rajinder Gulati, a top paediatrician, certified lactation consultant, and president of the Human Milk Bank Association of India (2022-2023). He praised the AIMS Mohali team—doctors, nurses, and support staff—for their amazing work on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
This milestone shines a light on Dr Bhavneet Bharti’s strong leadership. She kickstarted Punjab’s first Human Milk Bank, called Ashneer Milk Bank, with help from the Rotary Club. Plus, she bagged funding from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a hub-and-spoke human milk bank model, complete with cost breakdowns to roll it out across India.
Dr Bharti called the journey challenging but credited the nonstop efforts of local heroes who offer round-the-clock support for moms and babies. The hospital’s Breastfeeding Committee stepped up big time, showing what teamwork can do. This even tied into her Women Lift Health Capstone Project, highlighting how women leaders drive real change in maternal and child health.
Overall, this BFHI accreditation proves AIMS Mohali meets World Health Organization (WHO) and Government of India standards. It puts the institute right at the heart of India’s breastfeeding promotion drive, thanks to BPNI’s visionary work under Dr Gupta. What a step forward for better health outcomes!
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