A new guidance document for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Community Health Services (BFCHS) has now been published. The guidance explains the process for becoming designated as a Baby-Friendly Community Health Service and sets out the minimum standards and quality requirements for implementation.
The BFCHS model is the Norwegian adaptation of the WHO/UNICEF Implementation Guidance for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative for use in community maternal and child health services. In 2022, the Norwegian BFCHS was recognised by the European Commission as a Best Practice for the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
The guidance has been developed as part of the EU Joint Action PreventNCD and supports countries in transferring and adapting the model to their own health systems while maintaining fidelity to the Baby-Friendly standards.
The document provides a practical framework for national authorities, service managers and health professionals who wish to implement Baby-Friendly Community Health Services in their own context.