AIMS Mohali Becomes India’s First State Medical College Accredited as Breastfeeding-Friendly Hospital

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali, Punjab has earned accreditation as a Breastfeeding-Friendly Hospital under the Baby - Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). This accreditation is the first for a state government medical college in the state.

What Accreditation Means

The accreditation comes from the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), the national body authorized to oversee BFHI assessments. An on-site inspection was held on August 5, 2025, led by Dr. Rajinder Gulati, paediatrician and president of the Human Milk Bank Association of India. During the inspection, AIMS Mohali demonstrated compliance with the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a core component of WHO and BFHI standards.

The “Ten Steps” include policies and practices such as:

• Having a written infant-feeding policy that is communicated to all hospital staff

• Training staff in breastfeeding support skills

• Initiating breastfeeding within half an hour of birth

• Allowing mothers to stay in continuous contact with their newborns (rooming in)

• Supporting exclusive breastfeeding and avoiding promotional materials for breast milk substitutes.

Why AIMS Mohali’s Accreditation Matters

Among 71 hospitals accredited so far across India, state government medical colleges have rarely achieved this status. AIMS Mohali is now one of the only two state medical colleges with this recognition.

Prof. (Dr.) Bhavneet Bharti, Director-Principal of AIMS, played a key role. She previously established Punjab’s first human milk bank and secured government funding for a hub-and-spoke model of milk banking. These institutional efforts strengthened the hospital’s capacity for breastfeeding support.

The hospital set up a dedicated “Breastfeeding Committee” responsible for implementing and monitoring practices around the clock, including staff training, counseling mothers, and ensuring newborn support. This reflected sustained commitment rather than temporary compliance.

How BFHI Works and Its Impact

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global programme by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF designed to support breastfeeding in maternity facilities. Hospitals are evaluated on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, plus compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Accreditation requires examination of records, staff training, baby-mother support systems, and policy implementation. Hospitals are re-evaluated periodically to maintain standards. ¹

Studies show that hospitals accredited under BFHI tend to have higher rates of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding. They also see lower formula use and improved newborn health outcomes, particularly in reducing infant morbidity from infections and digestive issues. ²

References

1. “Assessment and Accreditation of the Breastfeeding Friendly Hospitals,” BFHI-India. https://www.bfhi-india.in/assessment-and-accreditation-of-the-breastfeeding-friendly-hospitals BFHI India

2. Pérez-Escamilla, Rafael et al. “Impact of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative on Breastfeeding and Child Health Outcomes.” Public Health Nutrition, 2016. PMC6860129.

(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)