HONG KONG，27 August 2016 –Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) was accredited by BFHIHKA in May as the first Baby-friendly Hospital in Hong Kong with the joint effort of Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK), Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association (BFHIHKA), the Hong Kong government and the Hospital Authority. A Baby-friendly Hospital Designation Ceremony was held today.

Since 1992, UNICEF HK has supported Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association to encourage local hospitals with antenatal services to be accredidated as Baby-friendly Hospital.

Ms Jane Lau, Chief Executive of UNICEF HK said, “This year marks the 30th anniversary of UNICEF HK. It is a double blessing for us to witness that Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in Hong Kong marches towards a new milestone.”

The number of infants being breastfed at discharge has increased significantly from 19 per cent in 1992 to 88 per cent in 2015 with the collective efforts of UNICEF HK and partners.

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was launched in 1991 by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. It helps remove the barriers to breastfeeding by encouraging health facilities to implement the ‘Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding’.

To help mothers sustain breastfeeding after discharge, UNICEF HK also launched the ‘Say Yes to Breastfeeding’ campaign last year to establish breastfeeding-friendly communities.

So far, over 80 workplaces and 80 restaurants pleged their support to breastfeeding mothers, and the campaign is also gaining momentum at shopping malls and the public transport sector. Please support breastfeeding and help develop a solid foundation for the maternal and child health for Hong Kong.