Implementing the Competency Verification Toolkit for Step 2 of the 2018 WHO-UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative - SPANISH

Abstract: In 2016, WHO and UNICEF commissioned an update and evidence review of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). The 2017 Guideline (evidence) and 2018 Implementation Guidance announced several changes in focus for the BFHI. The 2018 Guidance adds adherence to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and facility monitoring into Step 1; introduces the paradigm shift from measuring training to assuring staff competency in Step 2; and integrates of care of small, sick and premature babies into the BFHI. A team of 5 experts volunteered to create the BFHI Competency Verification Toolkit which was released by WHO in August 2020. The Toolkit is now being implemented in multiple countries and programs as detailed in this presentation.

Publication: An article describing the evolution of the Toolkit was published in the JHL:
Chapin, E. M., Chen, C.-H., Dumas, L., MacEnroe, T., Smith, L. J., Begin, F., & Grummer-Strawn, L. (2021). The Paradigm Shift in BFHI Step 2: From Training to Competency Verification. Journal of Human Lactation, 37(3), 532-538. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334421995098

Diversity and Inclusion: The WHO-UNICEF Competency Verification Toolkit was peer-reviewed in detail and depth by 20 experts from 17 low-, middle-, and high-income countries and 6 organizations representing all 6 WHO regions and at least 7 languages. The reviewers included physicians, midwives, nurses, academic experts, peer counselors, administrators, and public health professionals.

Disclosures: Presenter(s) indicated no conflicts of interest to disclose.