A multi-year journey ended on Friday, April 5, with healthcare teams at the Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) receiving international praise.
The PRH and Penticton Health Centre were awarded the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI), a rare designation that recognizes 鈥渢he high standard of care鈥� provided to babies and new parents.
With Penticton in the fold, just 29 facilities in Canada have been on the receiving end of the award.
鈥淭his isn鈥檛 easy to do and that鈥檚 why it鈥檚 not a common designation in Canada,鈥� said Dr. Neil Crofts, chief of staff at PRH.
鈥淧enticton should be very proud that we have this designation.鈥�
Rob Finch, executive director at Perinatal of BC, said the designation represents an 鈥渆pic milestone.鈥�
鈥淭his work is so critically important, it鈥檚 life-changing鈥� Finch added, while praising the work of local healthcare teams鈥� staff and volunteers.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a level of commitment in Penticton that鈥檚 so far ahead of everyone else鈥鈥檒l say that with confidence.鈥�
The BFI is a World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations program 鈥渢hat guides optimal care and best breastfeeding and chestfeeding practices,鈥� according to Interior Health.
Its goal is to create an environment where families receive the best care and information to give their children a healthy future, they added.
In 2019, Penticton鈥檚 hospital was one of 26 facilities in Canada chosen to participate in a national BFI quality improvement project.
More than four years later 鈥� and after fulfilling the requirements of WHO and the United Nations International Children鈥檚 Emergency Fund 鈥� Penticton is officially a BFI-designated community.
鈥淭he goal of the BFI is to make breastfeeding and chestfeeding easier for families by helping them get off to the best start possible, and supporting them for as long as they need,鈥� said Meggie Ross, Penticton鈥檚 BFI lead.
The designation was recognized with a ceremony on Friday afternoon, April 5, in front of around 50 people at the PRH鈥檚 main entrance.
Staff, volunteers and local patients of the BFL initiative were among those in attendance.
鈥淭his is an incredible milestone and one we should celebrate very proud for the families that we serve,鈥� said Lea Geiger, a provincial clinical coordinator at Perinatal Services BC.
