Up until Tuesday, December twenty third, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital
was the only health institution in Belize that was classified “baby
friendly.” But now, the Corozal Community Hospital and the Northern Regional
Hospital in Orange Walk have also been certified. This means that both hospitals
in the north have now implemented the ten steps for successful breastfeeding,
effectively reducing infant morbidity and mortality rates.
The international recognition is an effort by UNICEF and the World
Health Organization to improve care for pregnant women, mothers and their newborns.
At the ceremony to certify the Northern Regional Hospital yesterday, UNICEF
spokesperson Anita Zetina reminded the management and staff that achieving baby
friendly status is one thing, but they must now use their training to maintain
it.
Anita Zetina, UNICEF Spokesperson
“As we all know it is safe to say that the exclusive breastfeeding 
rate is only at ten point two percent in Belize and we need to work harder to
improve that because we all know what the benefits of breastfeeding are not
only for the children but also for the mothers. Belize today joins fifteen thousand
other facilities in a hundred and thirty four countries to be awarded baby friendly
status. And we know that in many areas where hospitals have been designated
as baby friendly more mothers are breastfeeding their infants and child health
has improved tremendously.
Breastfeeding is the most cost effective and efficient child health intervention
that exists. It is free and it ensures that the child receives the most effective,
strong nutritional and immunological foundation covering available. Formula
feeds babies but breast milk feeds and protects the babies. It empowers the
baby to fight diseases and give the nutrition that they need to ensure strong
and intellectual and physical growth.”
The goal now is to have all public sector hospitals certified as baby
friendly. For the mothers of newborns, breastfeeding has been linked to the
reduction of both ovarian and breast cancer.
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