PHM-Exch> violation of the Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes in Cameroon

[Claudio Schuftan]

Ce document et aussi disponible en francais. Demandez le de Christian
Locka   c.locka at acthu.org



Memorandum against the violation of the Code of

Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes in Cameroon by the companies "Nestlé"
and "Blédina"



Decree No. 2005/5168/PM 01 December 2005 regulating the marketing of
breastmilk substitutes, is to organize the sale and distribution of infant
formula, so that breastfeeding remains the rule in the infant feeding. This
decree states in Article 6, paragraph 1 and 2, that "the manufacturers or
distributors should not donate equipment referring to a product covered by
this Decree to health facilities, training institutions for health,
organizations involved in health promotion, as well as health professionals.
The same is true of any equipment or gadget, even for information, education
or training."

Six (06) years after the implementation of the decree based on the
International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes, Action for
Humane Hospitals (Acthu), a civil society organization in Cameroon:

Notes:

_ A flagrant violation of Decree No. 2005/5168/PM 01 December 2005
regulating the marketing of breast milk substitutes by multinational
companies "Nestlé" and

"Blédina" specialized in the manufacture, marketing or distribution of
infant formula in Cameroon, in particular Articles 4, 6 and 17;

_The fact that some public hospitals and private pharmacies, educational
institutions have become real advertising of "Nestle" and "Blédina" with
health professionals who, through ignorance and / or missing, displayed more
with coats, bags, polos, Tshirts and other gadgets with stamps of these
companies;

_ The silence and inertia of the health authorities to violations of
regulations by the companies marketing breast milk substitutes;

_ Failure to follow the ten (10) phases of the "baby-friend Hospitals"
initiative from the joint WHO / UNICEF which emphasizes the training of
health professionals, informing the public and mothers on the practice and
benefits of breastfeeding in all maternity wards in the country.

Denounces:

_ The aggressive marketing policies of companies "Nestlé" and "Blédina" in
hospitals, pharmacies, and training institutions in violation of regulations
governing the area of infant and young child for the sole purpose of
influencing choice of mothers;

_ The violation by the Ministry of Public Health, Article 14 of Decree of
the Prime

Minister on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and complicity in the
operation of the promotion, protection and support for artificial feeding
through health facilities; this article states that "health authorities
(...) at all levels must ensure the promotion, protection and encouragement
of breastfeeding, and compliance with the rules laid down by this Decree "

_ Development of non-communicable diseases and increased rates of infant and

maternal mortality and poverty, obstacles to the achievement of the
Millennium

Development Goals No. 1, 4 and 5;

_ The failure of the Cameroon government to respect the statements of
Innocenti

Declaration, the WHO / UNICEF strategy and their subsequent resolutions that
make breastfeeding a human right;



Given that breastfeeding contributes to the economic, social and cultural

development and the fight against poverty in our country, the health of
mothers

and children must be central to health policy. Therefore, Acthu:

Requires:

"Nestle" and "Blédina":

_ The immediate and unconditional cessation of donations of equipment and
gadgets advertising to health professionals and health facilities throughout
the national territory;

_That these companies, as they do in their home country meet Cameroon
legislation in marketing and distribution of breastmilk substitutes;

_ That these companies cease to sacrifice the health of mothers, infants and
young children in Cameroon for the benefit of their development investment;

The Cameroon government:

_ tax penalties against companies "Nestlé" and "Blédina" and additional
penalties each time a code violation is discovered on the ground;

_ severe administrative sanctions against the national health authorities
that

undermine the policy of promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding;

_ The effective implementation of the ten (10) phases of the "Baby Friendly

hospitals” initiative as well as other international agreements on the
promotion of

breastfeeding that Cameroon has ratified (the Innocenti Declaration, the WHO
/

UNICEF strategy, etc.);

_ The supply of health workers in coats in public hospitals so that they
cease to be attracted by donations of companies marketing infant formula;

Recommends:

The Cameroon government:

_ Introduce modules on breastfeeding in the school and university programs
and support for the creation of clubs "breastfeeding";

_ Support the promotion of breastfeeding during the socio-cultural events

(festivals, tontine, contests, etc.);_

International organizations:

_ The permanent reminder of the Cameroon government on compliance with its

international commitments to protect, promote and support breastfeeding;

_ Capacity building of civil society organizations promoting breastfeeding
at

community, regional and national levels.



(Action for Humane Hospitals also intends to launch the campaign "Kick
gadgets

advertising outside hospitals!" and the boycott of products of companies
found guilty of violation of the Code of Marketing of Breast milk
Substitutes, if this situation continues.
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