Ho (V/R), June 25, – The Ho Government Hospital was on Tuesday designated a “Baby Friendly” health institution in appreciation of being the first regional hospital in the country to promote breast feeding. To mark the occasion, a plague was unveiled at the maternity ward of the hospital. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Joseph D. Otoo, Director of Medical Services, noted that the achievement by government was a laudable one because it has been able to meet the global criteria with its stringent guidelines. Some of the demands, he said, include the abolition of the nursery unit, putting of babies immediately to breast after delivery, and allowing them to sleep in the same bed with their mothers. Dr Otoo said a national plan of action for the promotion of breast feeding has been drawn up to the year 2000. He said 66 health workers have been trained in lactation management, noting that this provides at least six trainers for each regional hospital and the two teaching hospitals. According to Dr Otoo, about 2,500 health workers including nurses, midwives, obstetricians and paediatricians in the region and district hospitals have gone through in-service training in lactation management and are transforming their facilities into baby friendly ones. He said 15 health facilities which have been targeted to become baby friendly, including all the other regional hospitals, would be encouraged and designated.
