Dear all
I have been reading a vast number of comments and information about the promotion or prescription of Infant formula for almost one month. Yes, this a great grave situation for us who work for Breastfeeding. I may share our situation in Bangladesh. As early as 1984 our govt. came with Breastmilk substitute code BMS code, under leadership of Prof. MQK Talukder and since then we are fighting with BMS companies. Our Bangladesh Paediatric Association never accepted sponsorship of BMS companies since then. But we could stopped BMS companies. Ultimately we upgraded our BMS code according to International law in 2013 as BMS Act. Which is a much stronger law and has provision for punishment if violation is done. But still we could not control the situation.Why? It is the Paediatrician and OB Gyn people they do not obey the law and go into conflict of intetest COI.The BMS companies bribe and arrange different programmes with lucrative offers for Paediatricians, Obstetrician and Nutrition people. There is poor monitoring from Govt. Proper Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatives are not functioning.Now what is the solutions? According to Tony Waterston, we must establish proper Baby friendly hospital. Ask our professional bodies not to accept sponsorship of milk companies like Royal college Paediatrics in UK. Promote, protect and support BF in every service mother and babies. Monitor and Punish BMS companies when there is violation. We must be very proactive to save life of Children and mothers.Thank you.
Prof. Soofia KhatoonProf. Of Paediatrics, CWCH.AndVice ChairpersonBangladesh Breastfeeding Foundatio.
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CHIFA profile: Soofia Khatoon is Professor of Paediatrics at Shaheed Suhrawardi Medical College & Hospital, Sher-e Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Presently she is working as secretary general of the Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation, Vice President of Bangladesh Neonatal Forum, Executive member of Bangladesh Paediatric Association, Bangladesh Perinatal Society, Bangladesh Society of Neurology & Disability. Professional interests include: Solving neonatal problems & improving breast feeding situation in Bangladesh. soofia_icmh AT yahoo.com
