Nominations invited for Babycare Room Award

24 Jun 2008

Members of the public are invited to nominate entries for the Babycare Room Award jointly organised by the Department of Health (DH), the Hospital Authority and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association to promote breastfeeding in Hong Kong.

The event aims to commend organisations in the private and public sectors for their efforts in providing a supportive environment and desirable babycare facilities to encourage mothers to initiate and maintain breastfeeding for their babies.

A DH spokesman said the health benefits of breastfeeding for babies and their mothers were well-recognised.

Surveys conducted by DH in all Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) showed that the ever breastfeeding rate (meaning mothers who have ever breastfed) rose from 50% in 1997 to 70% in 2006. In the corresponding years, the exclusive breastfeeding rate for four to six months also increased from 6% to 13.5%.

"It is hoped that the Babycare Room Award could further arouse public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and encourage the parties concerned to provide good babycare facilities at places under their management," he said.

Babycare facilities nominated must be situated within Hong Kong. Any individuals, private enterprises, Government departments and public organisations may nominate entries for the award. Souvenirs will be awarded to nominators of the winning organisation with the highest votes.

The spokesman said entries should meet the following criteria:

- be accessible with clear signage
- with comfortable chair(s)/bench(es) for breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- be welcoming, family friendly and safe for young children
- be in a hygienic setting of easily cleaned finishes
- with good illumination and ventilation
- with hand washing and drying facilities
- the babycare room should not be part of the toilet or a room within it
- if space is available, cubicles(s) with partition(s) should be provided for the breastfeeding mothers.

Nomination forms and posters introducing the award are available at all public and private hospitals, DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres and Woman Health Centres, public facilities of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and The Link shopping centres.

On-line nomination and details of the award are also available at DH's Family Health Service homepage (http://www.fhs.gov.hk.).

Completed nomination forms can be put at the collection boxes at all public hospitals, Maternal & Child Health Centres and Woman Health Centres, or sent to DH's Family Health Service by fax (2574 8977) not later than 5pm on July 8.

The winning organisations will be selected by a jury comprising representatives from the three organisers. An award presentation ceremony will be held on August 2 during the WABA World Breastfeeding Week.