The Percy Junor Hospital in Spaulding, Manchester, yesterday received its accreditation under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), a programme led globally by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. This achievement brings the total number of Baby-Friendly designated public hospitals in Jamaica to 12.

The BFHI recognizes health facilities that provide optimal care for mothers and newborns and actively support breastfeeding. The initiative promotes early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond, practices proven to improve infant survival and long-term health outcomes.

Speaking at the accreditation ceremony, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, CD, MP, congratulated the management and staff of Percy Junor Hospital for their dedication and commitment to improving maternal and infant care.

“This accreditation reflects the hard work of healthcare professionals at this facility who understand that giving our children the best start in life begins from the earliest moments after birth. Breastfeeding is one of the most effective public-health interventions available, and initiatives such as BFHI strengthen our ability to support mothers and families across Jamaica,” the Minister said.

Dr. Tufton emphasized that expanding the number of Baby-Friendly facilities aligns with the Ministry’s broader strategy to reduce infant mortality, improve maternal health outcomes, and strengthen quality standards across the public health system.

With Percy Junor Hospital joining the programme, the other accredited facilities are:

• Princess Margaret Hospital (2015) – St. Thomas
• Alexandria Community Hospital (2018) – St. Ann
• Lionel Town Hospital (2019) – Clarendon
• Port Antonio Hospital (2019) – Portland
• Port Maria Hospital (2019) – St. Mary
• Mandeville Regional Hospital (2022) – Manchester
• Black River Hospital (2023) – St. Elizabeth
• St. Ann’s Bay Hospital (2024) – St. Ann
• Spanish Town Hospital (2025) – St. Catherine
• Bustamante Hospital for Children (2025) – Kingston
• Noel Holmes Hospital (2025) – Hanover

Achieving BFHI accreditation requires facilities to meet rigorous standards, including implementing evidence-based clinical practices, providing breastfeeding counselling and education, and maintaining policies that protect and promote breastfeeding. Regional Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority, Mr. Michael Bent, also commended the Percy Junor Hospital team, noting that the designation reflects sustained staff training, quality-improvement initiatives, and a shared commitment to patient-centred care.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Baby-Friendly accreditation to additional facilities in the coming years, ensuring that mothers and newborns across Jamaica have access to consistent, high-quality support and care.