Action
UNICEF promotes breastfeeding by training health workers and parents. At the same time providing supplies for baby-friendly hospitals UNICEF supports improving conditions for mothers and new babies. The certification of a hospital as baby-friendly requires that the hospital’s maternity facilities meet particular standards, including supporting mothers in exclusive breastfeeding immediately after birth during their stay in hospital. Activelly participating UNICEF contributes to achieving safe immunization of all children under five years of age in BIH. Within GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) support, the universal infant immunization with HepB vaccine (against hepatitis) has been successfully introduced into the immunization schedule in both entities. From 2007, universal vaccination against HIV begins for all newborns.
Working with the NGO IBFAN, UNICEF supports better parenting classes organized in health centers throughout BIH for parents with young children. Skilled professionals have developed the parenting education program, using a holistic approach to young child development, improving the knowledge of parents and their readiness to address the needs of children from birth to age six. Recently, this programme has been extended also to some Roma families and displaced persons, excluded from the basic services or with limited access to basic health and social services. In the previous period, within this focus area, UNICEF supported training and provided materials for health professionals and parents on salt iodization, prevention of iron anemia, acute respiratory infections and diarrhea diseases.UNICEF participates in the development of the National Strategy against Iodine Deficiency Disorder and implementation of the International Code on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes.
Young child survival and development - UNICEF's field presence (2005-2008) [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.) |
