The application for the assessment and accreditation of the hospital as "Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital” is valid for hospitals that provides maternity services.

The Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) -National Accreditation Centre (NAC) would provide a digital facility for the hospital to register and make a payments for assessment/accreditation

The NAC would do the analysis of the self-assessment and communicate its results and eligibility for external assessment along with Technical guidance and requirements of the external assessment.

The NAC will arrange for external assessment (if hospital is eligible) by the ‘authorised assessor’.

The NAC will analyse the report of the authorised assessor and assign grading to the hospital (Grade 1-5) as per NAC guidelines.

If the hospital receives Grade -1, NAC will provide a certificate of Accreditation. 

If the hospital receives Grade 2-5, the NCA will provide technical advice and support (if requested, but not included in the present cost of assessment)

The process of assessment shall be completed within 12 months from the date of registration.

The hospital will communicate through a contact person or appoint a "designated person" for the process of assessment.

The hospital will make necessary arrangements during the visit of the ‘authorised assessor’.

The hospital will procure the necessary approvals from authorities for the external authorised assessor to undertake the assessment.

The hospital will ensure that ‘authorised assessor’ gets access to the hospital premises, infrastructure and relevant information and personnel for assessment.

The hospital will ensure to pay a non-refundable fee to BPNI for the assessment in 2 installments -First installment: INR 4999/-  and Second installment: Upon application for external assessment: INR 11999/-.

The fee is valid for 3 times to conduct self-assessment within a 12- month period.

The fee is valid for one (1) external assessment by an authorized assessor.

The fee is ONLY for assessment and accreditation process and not for any other service.

The NAC will charge additional fees for any training or capacity building of the hospital staff.

The fee does not guarantee the hospital to be accredited as “Breastfeeding Friendly”

The hospital once accredited, is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

The accreditation can be suspended/terminated based on complaints and enquiry.

The report of the self-assessment or the external assessment done in good faith by BPNI, and BPNI or its ‘authorised assessor’ is not liable for any legal proceedings for the assessment work done under good faith.