MOH and UN call for breastfeeding

Nhan Dan Online – On the occasion of the launch of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2009), the Ministry of Health has joined hands with the United Nations in Vietnam to issue a ‘Call to Action’ to ensure that by 2015 the country will have achieved the goal of a 50% exclusive breastfeeding rate across the country.

In the recently approved ‘Child Survival Action Plan’, the Ministry of Health committed to achieving the goal, recognizing that without improvements in breastfeeding rates and child nutrition, the realization of the Millennium Development Goals in Vietnam would be jeopardized.

Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life yields tremendous health benefits, providing critical nutrients and protection from deadly diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhea, and fostering child growth and development. Continued breastfeeding after six months, for up to two years of age or beyond, combined with safe and appropriate complementary feeding, is the optimal approach to child feeding.

Though small increases in exclusively breastfeeding rates in Vietnam have been reported, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey in 2006 found that only one out of every six mothers exclusively breastfed their babies, leaving many children without necessary protection in their early stages of life.

“It is of utmost importance that we ensure a supportive and protective environment for the mother and her newborn to ensure exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life,” said Dr. Tran Chi Liem, Vice Minister of Health, during the launch. “We need to remain committed to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding by helping mothers and their families understand the benefits of breastfeeding, as well as the risks of artificial feeding. This means Government, civil society organisations and international efforts must remain committed to enforcing the Government Decree on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes, and invest much more in the public health system to promote breastfeeding.”

The Decree on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes aims to protect and promote breastfeeding by prohibiting the advertising and aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes, feeding bottles and teats. A recent monitoring and supervising mission conducted by the Health Inspection Department under the Ministry of Health found that the Decree contains a range of loopholes that are being exploited by companies and agencies. Despite the progress made since the decree was adopted, challenges remain and monitoring of decree violations is weak in Vietnam. A report by the Ministry of Health identified an alarming percentage of violations of the regulations in 2007 at both health facilities and businesses in 12 provinces.

According to the report, 24% of health facilities still sell formula milk in their canteens, 32% of health facilities use bottles and artificial nipples for children, and approximately 61% of milk companies, businesses and their representative offices are not adhering to Government Decree 21 on providing appropriate information for consumers in the labels of their products. The marketing of infant formula and breastfeeding substitutes is not adequately screened, and false marketing, using a range of different channels, is very common in Vietnam.

“To reach the agreed goal by 2015, Vietnam needs to strengthen its enforcement of the Decree on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes,” said UNICEF Representative Mr. Jesper Morch. “The UN in Vietnam stands ready to support the Government in the co-ordination, implementation and monitoring of all related policies, especially the Infant Young Child Feeding Action Plan in the 2009-2010 period and the Decree on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes, to promote and protect the right to breastfeed children.”

The estimated value of breast milk potentially produced by Vietnamese mothers is US$549 million per year, half of which is wasted due to the low rates of breastfeeding in the country. An increase in breastfeeding rates would reduce the need for diagnosis and treatment of childhood illnesses, and consequently lead to a fall in household health care expenditure. This reduction in health care costs would provide low-income families with the opportunity to invest in other basic needs. Such important facts need to be considered by decision makers as they explore expanding support for breastfeeding-friendly policies and programmes.

Together with the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week 2009, Vietnam Breastfeeding Week will be celebrated from August 1-7 this year under the theme “Exclusive Breastfeeding for the First Six Months of Life – The Smart Choice for Child Survival and Development”, which calls for the need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in the first six months of a child’s life.

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