By Rachel Kakraba
The Health and Nutrition Officer, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF- Ghana, Porbilla Ofosu-Appea has asked the Food and Drugs Authority to strictly enforce the international code of marketing of Breast Milk substitutes. The Authority she added should also monitor closely its sale to ensure the purchase is only under a doctor’s prescription.
“there’s already a law and it looks at prohibiting the sale of these infant formulas. So I think largely we may have to ensure adherence or compliance to the international code.
Adding on, she said the “FDA will have to aggressively monitor the sale of these infant formulas so that they are strictly under the prescription of a doctor. So without a prescription, you can’t just go into a supermarket and then acquire or purchase these infant formulas”
Madam Ofosu-Appea, said this in an interview with GBC News in Accra, as Ghana joins the global community to observe Breastfeeding Week. World Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year, to draw attention to the importance of breastfeeding. Madam Ofosu-Appea, said this year’s commemoration emphasizes the need for equal access to breastfeeding support for all mothers.
She said limited knowledge of some mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding, especially exclusively, has resulted in some of them ignoring the importance of it to both mother and child.
“I want to say that some mothers actually lack the knowledge or education about the importance of benefits of breastfeeding”
She identified other factors as; “I can also say that, insufficient support from health workers or health care providers, family members and friends. Can you imagine a mother with twins without the necessary support from home? It would be very difficult for this mother to practice exclusive breastfeeding”
“Also for medical reasons, HIV and other conditions, which may require, alternative feeding methods”
Madam Ofosu-Appea, called for sustained advocacy and awareness creation for mothers to understand the importance of breastfeeding to them and their babies.
World Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year, supported by WHO, UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners. This year’s commemoration is on the theme “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all”
The campaign celebrates breastfeeding mums in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities and health workers can have the back of every breastfeeding mum.
Experts say breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed.
