Promote breastfeeding practices, NAFDAC charges media

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has charged media organisations across the country to play a crucial role in promoting breastfeeding practices by nursing mothers in Nigeria.

The Niger State Coordinator of NAFDAC and Chairman of the State Breast Milk Substitutes Multisectoral Committee, James Kugbu made the call during an awareness creation meeting with media practitioners on Thursday in Minna.

He stated that the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye on October 26, 2024, inaugurated the Niger State Breast Milk Substitute (BMS) Multi Sectorial Technical Committee to reinforce the international code of marketing of breast milk substitute.

Kigbu explained that the committee was to among other issues implement the code, monitor compliance, sensitise and advocate for compliance, curtail aggressive marketing of BMS, promote exclusive breastfeeding and recommend sanctions for violations.

He further explained that the media has a critical role to play in promoting breastfeeding and urged media professionals to become familiar with the laws and regulations on marketing BMS in Nigeria.

“Media professionals are encouraged to train staff to identify and report violations of the Code and reject any advertisements promoting breast milk substitute products,” he said.

According to him, NAFDAC does not issue advertisement permits for breast milk substitutes, adding that the agency was working tirelessly to ensure that companies comply with the code and national regulations.

He said BMS manufacturing companies were in the habit of using various tactics to promote their products to nursing mothers such as professional associations, doctors, nurses, and midwives, as well as retail outlets and hospitals.

He stressed that the media can play a crucial role in exposing these tactics and promoting breastfeeding by nursing Mothers as the optimal feeding practice for infants and young children.

Kigbu thereby called on the media to support the effort by promoting optimal feeding practices for infants and young children, as well as establishing crèches in Media houses for breastfeeding mothers.

He stated that the implementation and monitoring of the code and national regulations require the collaboration of all stakeholders, including the media, healthcare professionals, and government agencies, community and religious leaders among others.

The International Code of Marketing of BMS was designed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to regulate the marketing of BMS.

The code comprises 11 articles that spell out recommendations for governments, healthcare systems, healthcare providers, and companies.

Also, NAFDAC decree 15 of 1993, as amended, empowers the agency to implement the code in collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders.

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