Joseph is correct to say that the world should not 'expect' companies to place profit over the lives of babies.
However we have to accept that the reality is as Nick Cunningham states. The business of such companies is a capitalist one and profit motive drives this, altruism does not play a part unless imposed. And at the present time, the International Code has no teeth owing to the power of the corporate sector within international agencies - the difficulties in regulating other health harming industries such as soft drink manufacturers and the fast fashion industry speaks for itself. These companies are rich and powerful; the 'health' industry (WHO and NGOs and of course CHIFA) is poor in funding even though rich in evidence.
I would appeal to members of the forum to suggest practical measures in relation to controlling infant formula marketing, as unfortunately urging the governments of the world to adopt sensible policies will make slow progress. There has been a boycott call on Nestle for many years with limited effect.
Two measures we can achieve is to have the International Code incorporated into national law, and have our hospital or clinic adopt the UNICEF Baby Friendly policies. It would be valuable to hear from those with experience of these measures.
Tony Waterston
CHIFA profile: Tony Waterston is a retired consultant paediatrician who worked mainly in the community in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. He spent 6 years working in Zambia and Zimbabwe and directed the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Diploma in Palestinian Child Health teaching programme in the occupied Palestinian territories. He was an Editor of the Journal of Tropical Pediatrics and is on the Executive Committee of the International Society for Social Pediatrics. His academic interests are child poverty, advocacy for child health and children's rights. He is currently the lead moderator of CHIFA www.chifa.org He is also a member of the HIFA Steering Group.
www.hifa.org/people/steering-group www.hifa.org/support/members/tony
Tony.Waterston AT newcastle.ac.uk
