Dominican Republic INAIPI Director Josefa Castillo Honored for Breastfeeding Gains

Josefa Castillo Rodríguez, executive director of the Instituto Nacional de Atención Integral a la Primera Infancia (INAIPI), received a recognition from the Dominican Ministry of Public Health and the National Breastfeeding Commission during the opening ceremony of World Breastfeeding Week at the Pan American Health Organization office. INAIPI was the only institution awarded 106 "Friendly Family Lactating Rooms" certificates and 101 recertifications after a technical re‑evaluation of standards and quality.

The ceremony highlighted a rise in exclusive breastfeeding rates among families served by INAIPI, climbing from 7 % to 34 % after the implementation of the lactation rooms, training, and women’s participation programs. Attendees included Health Minister Víctor Atallah, Labor Minister Eddy Olivares, Vice‑Minister of Health Eladio Pérez, UNICEF representatives, and OPS officials.