Dear All,
We agree with almost all that Prof Cunningham has said so eloquently, but find it difficult to agree with his saying that:
'Expecting profit oriented international corporations to put the needs of babies or impoverished moms ahead of their obligations to their stock holders as expressed by their quarterly earnings, is unrealistic and foolish.’.
Who is wagging this tail? Who is to set the rules, the benchmark for what should happen once there is scientific evidence for a policy?. The world should not 'expect' the manufacturers of artificial milk to place profit over the lives of babies!. Of course they would not do it voluntarily, they must be compelled to do the right thing for babies. They should be compelled to follow the science about the public health benefit of breast feeding and mostly exclusively in the 0-6 month age range, when ever possible which is most times. even in poor, relatively ignorant in science LMICs.
I am concerned it is the same sentiment that has kept tobacco manufacturers and dealers in business at the cost of lives, painfully. The governments of the world must summon the courage required to achieve the first rule of governance: 'protecting the lives and property of citizens including the newborn'. Breast feeding should be made possible for the majority by education, education and education and dissemination of the numerous benefits to parents, communities and health providers of breast feeding.But probably more important is sanctions for manufacturers of artificial milk who through incentivised promotional tactics confuse parents about artificial milk.
Joseph Ana.
CHIFA Profile :Joseph Ana is the Lead Consultant and Trainer at the Africa Centre for Clinical Governance Research and Patient Safety in Calabar, Nigeria. In 2015 he won the NMA Award of Excellence for establishing 12-Pillar Clinical Governance, Quality and Safety initiative in Nigeria. He has been the pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) National Committee on Clinical Governance and Research since 2012. He is also Chairman of the Quality & Performance subcommittee of the Technical Working Group for the implementation of the Nigeria Health Act. He is a pioneer Trustee-Director of the NMF (Nigerian Medical Forum) which took the BMJ to West Africa in 1995. He is particularly interested in strengthening health systems for quality and safety in LMICs. He has written Five books on the 12-Pillar Clinical Governance for LMICs, including a TOOLS for Implementation. He established the Department of Clinical Governance, Servicom & e-health in the Cross River State Ministry of Health, Nigeria in 2007. Joseph is a member of the HIFA Steering Group. Website: www.hriwestafrica.com
jneana AT yahoo.co.uk
