Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • +44 (0)20 7454 5110
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
Return to PR Newswire homepage
  • News
  • Products
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All Public Company News
      • All Multimedia News
      • View All News Releases

      • Regulatory News

      • D/A/CH Regulatory News
      • UK Regulatory News
      • View All Regulatory News

  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads & Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking & Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film & Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers & Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalisation
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls & Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil & Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defence
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking & Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers & Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines & Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics & Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture & Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewellery
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film & Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks & Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels & Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Animal Welfare
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Economic News, Trends & Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • Labour & Union
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Public Safety
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Overview
  • Distribution
  • Paid Placement
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Disclosure Services
  • SocialBoost
  • Rooms
    • MediaRoom
    • ESG Rooms
  • AI Tools
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships
  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PR Newswire UK provides press release distribution, targeting, monitoring, and marketing services
  • Send a Release
    • Phone

    • +44 (0)20 7454 5110 from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT

    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us

      +44 (0)20 7454 5110
      from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT

  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • News in Focus
    • Browse News Releases
    • Regulatory News
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
    • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Overview
  • Distribution
  • Paid Placement
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Disclosure Services
  • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • AI Tools
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists

World Fails to Invest in the Youngest to Reap for Development


News provided by

BreastFeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI)

13 Dec, 2016, 14:00 GMT

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

This image opens in the lightbox
IBFAN Launches the WBTi 84 Country Report at the Second World Breastfeeding Conference in Johannesburg on December 11, 2016 (PRNewsFoto/BreastFeeding Promotion Network)

JOHANNESBURG, December 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

On the occasion of IBFAN's Second World Breastfeeding Conference Dr. M.J Phaahla, Deputy Minister of Health, Government of the Republic of South Africa, today released International Baby Food Action Network's (IBFAN) new global report: "Has Your Nation Done Enough to Bridge the Gaps?: 84 country report on status and progress of implementation of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding2008-2016".

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/448788/PRNE___BPNI_Image.jpg )

The report shows that despite the undisputed evidence that infant mortality could be reduced by 1.3 times if all women breastfed their babies within the first hour of birth, only half of all newborns in the 80 countries reviewed are breastfed.

The study was done using the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi),IBFAN's break- through innovative tool that measures the state of policy and programmes in countries.

Key findings: Much work remains to be done 

The lead author of the report, Dr. Arun Gupta, said "Infant feeding during emergencies is given the worst coding: Red with a score of just 3.4 out of 10. It is a grossly neglected area where nations have failed to pay attention to preparedness, failing to integrate prevention strategies - that must include breastfeeding protection and support - into normal public health programmes. This leaves the door wide open for the baby food industry to intervene with quick fixes that further exploit infant's and mother's vulnerabilities."

The report also has a barometer that measures baby-friendly hospitals despite the importance of this 25 year initiative, only 42 countries have achieved baby friendly status in their hospitals and only half of the hospitals in these countries are classified as being truly 'baby friendly'. This indicator has a direct link to the rates of early initiation of breastfeeding.

Weak implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes is a glaring gap in almost all countries. It has been legislated in only half the countries and very few have adopted all the relevant subsequent WHA resolutions.

According to Patti Rundall of Baby Milk Action UK, "The continued aggressive marketing of the baby food industry misleads and confuses parents, and is a major threat to breastfeeding. The report highlights the urgent action that governments need to take to end inappropriate marketing of all products targeting babies as specified in the latest resolution and guidance from WHO. Indeed unless action is taken the formula market will as predicted rise by 55% from US$45 billion to US$70 billion by 2019.

The report also shows a profound lack of support for women. An indicator which measures Maternity Protection Finds that only 10% of countries provide more than 26 weeks of maternity leave. Women in the unorganized and informal sector, which form 90% of the working women, are neglected on maternity protection by 77% (64) countries.

Child-care facilities at work are absent, with only 46 countries providing this benefit. It should be no surprise that only 37% mothers are able to exclusively breastfeed in 84 countries when maternity protection - the most critical intervention for the success of exclusive breastfeeding - is missing.

The report states that while 68 out of 84 countries report having a policy and 59 have a comprehensive plan, only24 countries have adequate funding for the plan.

UNICEF Senior Nutrition Advisor, France Bégin says "What stands out clearly from the report is that countries are not investing sufficient resources to implement the Global strategy. Despite the evidence that investing in breastfeeding is one of the most cost effective public health interventions available, insufficient priority is being given to this, which put infants and children at risk of reaching their full potential…"  

"The report clearly demonstrates that while progress has been made in many countries, no country has fully implemented the Global Strategy . Gaps are particularly apparent in the protection of breastfeeding in emergency situations and in the implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative." Said Francesco Branca, Director, Nutrition for Health and Development, W.H.O., Geneva.

Recommendations: Increased funding urgently needed 

The World Health Assembly has set a target for 2025 to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates from 37% to at least 50%. The World Bank has estimated that an investment of $5.7 billion for low and middle income countries in next 10 years will be needed to achieve this. However, it could bring high economic returns: $35 for every dollar invested. 

Such an investment could ensure that 105 million more babies are exclusively breastfed, and save 520,000 lives. The five countries that would benefit most are India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia.

For maternity benefits, an additional $24 billion from other sectors would be required, according to the World Bank. 

Bad diet is now acknowledged to be the biggest cause of death and disability and the costs of diet-related diseases are fast consuming health budgets.  IBFAN calls upon World Health Assembly Member States to adopt a resolution to call for a "budget line" for Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding interventions in child health and/or nutrition, with a clear plan of action and timelines that is reported to the World Health Assembly every two years. Also, all governments, agencies, donors should invest in these interventions to bridge the gaps shown in the policy at national level urgently to enable women to breastfeed and foster improved child development globally.

For Further Information Contact:
Ms. Barbara Nalubanga
barbaranalubanga@gmail.com
Cell: +268-766-100-72
Dr Arun Gupta arun.ibfan@gmail.com

Notes for the editor:
World Health Assembly Resolution 69/9. May 2016 Ending inappropriate promotion of foods  for infants and young children  http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_R9-en.pdf
Maternal, infant and young child nutrition Guidance on ending the inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children  http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_7Add1-en.pdf
ICDC Focus: aggressive Promotion: Growing Up Milks  http://www.babymilkaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/GUMs-NEW.2016.pdf.

For downloading the full report please click here

Modal title

Contact PR Newswire

  • +44 (0)20 7454 5110
    from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships

Products

  • Content Distribution
  • Multimedia Services
  • Disclosure Services
  • Cision Communications Cloud®

About

  • About PR Newswire
  • About Cision
  • Partnering Opportunities
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
  • APAC
  • APAC - Simplified Chinese
  • APAC - Traditional Chinese
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Czech
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Middle East - Arabic
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United States
  • Vietnam

My Services

  • All News Releases
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Data Privacy

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via Privacy@cision.com 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact PR Newswire

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
+44 (0)20 7454 5110
from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Information Security Policy
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 PR Newswire Europe Limited. All Rights Reserved. A Cision company.