20 DHQs, THQs to be made baby-friendly hospitals

LAHORE:Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department has decided to make 20 DHQs and THQs hospitals baby-friendly hospitals in accordance with international standards in collaboration with Unicef.

It was decided in a meeting which was chaired by Sarah Aslam, Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, with a team from Unicef. In the meeting Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was announced and it was decided that in seven districts 20 DHQs and THQs hospitals should be made baby-friendly hospitals.

The project includes 20 DHQs and THQs from Lahore, Multan, Vehari, Jhang, Mandi Bahauddin, Attock and Mianwali. These hospitals will be made baby-friendly hospitals in accordance with international standards in collaboration with Unicef.

The benefits of breast-feeding for babies will be highlighted. The hospitals shall nominate Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) Committees. Proper training will be given to the medical staff of the hospitals. A complete system of internal and external monitoring will be set up. Certification and accreditation of international standards will be done. The plan is undoubtedly a revolutionary step in maternal and child health.

Meanwhile, a meeting of senior officials of the Blood Transfusion Authority was held to ensure safe blood transfusion. Safe blood transfusion is a big challenge in our medical system. Ensuring safe blood transfusions can prevent AIDS, hepatitis and other life-threatening diseases. In the meeting instructions were issued to register blood banks of all district and Tehsil hospitals of Punjab with flood transfusion authority. In this regard, the Blood Transfusion Authority and the Medical Superintendents of all the hospitals have been directed to work together immediately.

The Department of Primary and Secondary Health Care will play a vital role in ensuring safe blood transfusions in district and Tehsil headquarter hospitals. Blood Transfusion Authority will register, train and monitor blood banks in all district and Tehsil hospitals across the province. All blood banks of district and Tehsil hospitals should operate in accordance with the standards of Blood Transfusion Authority. No negligence will be tolerated in this regard.