Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sade Oguntola
Published on 2024-04-11 01:20:29
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is emphasizing the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for Nigerian nursing mothers to enhance the health outcomes of their newborns. It has been observed that the aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes is hindering the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding, resulting in a breastfeeding rate of only 28.7 percent in Nigeria.
NAFDAC, through its Resident Media Consultant Sayo Akintola, highlighted the significance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of an infant’s life. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a global target of achieving 50 percent exclusive breastfeeding by 2025, but Nigeria is lagging behind with only 28.7 percent of nursing mothers adhering to this recommendation.
In a recent stakeholders’ engagement with the Association of Infant Food Manufacturers and Marketers in Nigeria (AIFMN), NAFDAC’s Professor Mojisola Adeyeye reiterated the agency’s commitment to enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The inappropriate marketing of breast milk substitutes undermines efforts to promote breastfeeding and prolong its duration.
According to Prof. Adeyeye, exclusive breastfeeding provides essential nutrition for a child’s optimal growth and development, aligning with nature’s intended nourishment. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes aims to ensure the safe and adequate nutrition of infants by protecting and promoting breastfeeding while regulating the marketing and distribution of breast-milk substitutes.
Prof. Adeyeye also highlighted the influence of the infant and young child food industry on health professionals and facilities through promotion and incentives, leading to conflicts of interest. NAFDAC is committed to safeguarding breastfeeding practices against the threats posed by the marketing of breast milk substitutes.
While acknowledging the importance of breastmilk substitutes when necessary, Prof. Adeyeye emphasized the need for appropriate marketing practices to ensure the well-being of mothers and infants. The agency’s focus is on curbing inappropriate marketing strategies to create a conducive environment that prioritizes the health and welfare of both mothers and infants.
In conclusion, NAFDAC is actively working to promote exclusive breastfeeding and curb the detrimental effects of aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes. By upholding the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, the agency aims to protect the practice of breastfeeding and ensure that infants receive optimal nutrition as intended by nature.
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