By: Express News ServiceMohali | September 16, 2025 10:53 PM IST 2 min readThe assessment was carried out by the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India, the national agency authorised to conduct BFHI evaluations. (File Photo)Dr B R Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali, has achieved a rare national distinction by becoming the only state government medical college in India after Command Hospital, Pune, to earn breastfeeding-friendly hospital accreditation under the prestigious Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).Director-Principal Prof Bhavneet Bharti said that of the 71 accredited facilities nationwide, 39 belong to the Armed Forces, while Telangana leads among states in accrediting government hospitals. “A few private medical colleges have received the honour, but AIMS Mohali is the only state-run medical college to be accredited,” she noted.The assessment was carried out by the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), the national agency authorised to conduct BFHI evaluations. Dr Arun Gupta, BPNI’s central coordinator and a key architect of India’s breastfeeding movement, has ensured that international WHO standards are rigorously followed.An on-site inspection on August 5, 2025, led by Dr Rajinder Gulati, MD, FIAP, Paediatrician, Certified Lactation Consultant, and president of the Human Milk Bank Association of India (2022–23), commended the AIMS Mohali team of doctors, paramedics, and support staff for exemplary implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.Dr Bharti credited the success to “tireless local champions providing 24/7 care for mothers and newborns,” highlighting the dedication of the institute’s Breastfeeding Committee. Earlier, she spearheaded Punjab’s first Ashneer Human Milk Bank with Rotary Club support and secured an ICMR-funded project to create a hub-and-spoke milk bank model for nationwide replication.This landmark accreditation not only meets WHO and Government of India global benchmarks but also cements AIMS Mohali’s leadership in advancing maternal and child health, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the visionary work of BPNI and Dr Arun Gupta.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:mohali