Health
More than half pregnant women exposed to aggressive formula milk marketing against infant breast feeding – WHO, UNICEF

A new WHO/UNICEF reports have revealed that globally, more than half of parents and pregnant women (51 per cent) surveyed have been exposed to aggressive formula milk marketing by many nutrient companies, much of which is in breach of international standards on infant feeding practices.

A statement issued Monday by UNICEF Communication Officer, Borno state, Ms Folashade Adebayo and made available to newsmen in Maiduguri said the report shown how marketing of formula milk influences people’s decisions on infant feeding, drawn on interviews with some parents, pregnant women and health workers in eight countries of Bangladesh, China, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, United Kingdom and Viet Nam.

It also uncovered systematic and unethical marketing strategies used by the formula milk industries to influence parents’ infant feeding decisions.
The statement added that the study found out that industry marketing techniques including unregulated and invasive online targeting; sponsored advice networks and helplines; promotions and free gifts; practices to influence training and recommendations among health workers were prominent
It further noted that the messages that parents and health workers receive are often misleading, scientifically unsubstantiated, and violate the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes which is a landmark public health agreement passed by the World Health Assembly in 1981 to protect mothers from aggressive marketing practices by the baby food industry.
“This report shows very clearly that formula milk marketing remains unacceptably pervasive, misleading and aggressive,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Regulations on exploitative marketing must be urgently adopted and enforced to protect children’s health.”
One mother interviewed in Lagos said, “Advertisements will make me buy infant formula – I see a beautiful and chubby baby on TV, well fed and smiling and there is a container of milk there with all the nutritional facts on it, detailed.”
The statement further explained that the effects of marketing in Nigeria are seen in recommendations from health professionals and on digital platforms, with companies using data-driven algorithms to target digital advertising to women whose online behavior suggests they may be pregnant.
“Digital influencers make regular posts about formula milk – including celebrities, pediatricians, so-called experts and ‘mom influencers.’
“False and misleading messages about formula feeding are a substantial barrier to breastfeeding, which we know is best for babies and mothers,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“We need robust policies, legislation and investments in breastfeeding to ensure that women are protected from unethical marketing practices — and have access to the information and support they need to raise their families.”
“In Nigeria, 73 per cent of women expressed a strong desire to breastfeed exclusively. Yet the report details how a sustained flow of misleading marketing messages across countries is reinforcing myths about breastfeeding and breast milk, and undermining women’s confidence in their ability to breastfeed successfully.
“These myths include the necessity of formula in the first days after birth, the inadequacy of breast milk for infant nutrition, that specific infant formula ingredients are proven to improve child development or immunity, the perception that formula keeps infants fuller for longer, and that the quality of breast milk declines with time.
“Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond, offers a powerful line of defense against all forms of child malnutrition, including wasting and obesity. Breastfeeding also acts as babies’ first vaccine, protecting them against many common childhood illnesses.
” It also reduces women’s future risk of diabetes, obesity and some forms of cancer. Yet, in Nigeria, only 29 per cent of babies are exclusively breastfed, according to the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey. The Nigerian Government aims to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate to 65 percent by 2025.
“Alarmingly, health professionals’ recommendations to use formula milk were common across the surveyed countries, particularly post-partum. In Nigeria, 45 per cent of post-partum women had received a recommendation from a health professional to feed formula product – the second highest of the countries surveyed, after Bangladesh (57 per cent).
“Health professionals in Nigeria reported that contact with formula milk companies was extremely common in public and private health care settings.
“In Nigeria, where women ranked health professionals as their most important source of feeding advice, over one third of surveyed pregnant women said they received a recommendation to formula feed by a health professional.
“To address these challenges, WHO, UNICEF and partners are calling on governments, health workers, and the baby food industry to end exploitative formula milk marketing and fully implement and abide by the Code requirements. This includes:
“Passing, monitoring and enforcing laws to prevent the promotion of formula milk, in line with the International Code, including prohibiting nutrition and health claims made by the formula milk industry.
“IInvesting in policies and programmes to support breastfeeding, including adequate paid parental leave in line with international standards, and ensuring high quality breastfeeding support.
“Requesting industry to publicly commit to full compliance with the Code and subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions globally.
Banning health workers from accepting sponsorship from companies that market foods for infants and young children for scholarships, awards, grants, meetings, or events”, the statement said.

Health
President Tinubu appoints Chief Medical Directors for medical centres across the country

In a bid to enhance medical care for Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed six new Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for Federal Hospitals across the country.

Among those appointed is Dr. Ikrama Hassan, who will now serve as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Dr. Hassan, a seasoned consultant physician, previously served as the Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital before its elevation to a teaching hospital.

The full list of newly appointed CMDs includes:
Prof. Olusegun Sylvester Ojo – Federal Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State.
Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Abdullahi (Reappointed) – Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
Dr. Dauda Abubakar Katagum – Federal Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi State.
Dr. Ikrama Hassan – Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Dr. Ali Mohammed Ramat – National Orthopedic Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Dr. Haruna Abubakar Shehu – Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
Each appointment is for a four-year term, effective from the date of assumption of duty.
President Tinubu congratulated the appointees, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and service delivery. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving medical infrastructure and ensuring quality healthcare access for all Nigerians.

Health
Kebbi Senator calls for establishment of Federal Medical Centre in Zuru, Kebbi State

Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Maidoki has called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre to be situated in Zuru to cater for the health needs of the District and its environs.

The lawmaker in the 10th National Assembly made the call during a public hearing on the Bill to establish Federal Medical Centre in Zuru organized by the Senate Committee on Health.

In a memorandum presented at the hearing by the lawmaker, he explained that the aim is to provide tertiary healthcare facilities to the people of Zuru in Kebbi State in the North West Nigeria.
He further noted that the establishment of FMCs across the country was initiated by Decree No. 10 of 1985, with the aim of providing tertiary healthcare services.
According to him, the FMC Birnin Kebbi was established on June 6, 2000, and has since been upgraded to a University Teaching Hospital.
The lawmaker stated that the large population and the challenges faced in accessing healthcare services, necessitates the establishment of FMC in the state.
“In Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, the distance between Zuru Emirate and Birnin Kebbi is approximately 240 km, making it difficult for patients, especially children and pregnant women, to access secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities”, he lamented.
Senator Maidoki charged his colleagues and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support the bill, saying healthcare is a fundamental privilege expected from any government.
The lawmaker who is the sponsor of the bill told journalists during a chat that the Federal Medical Center, when established will not only cater for the tertiary healthcare needs of Kebbi State, but will also serve the adjoining states like Niger and Zamfara.

Health
Kogi Govt. Secures $500 million to fund education, healthcare

The Kogi State is set to receive enhanced funding of 500 million dollars from the World Bank to improve access to high quality basic education and Primary Healthcare Services in the state.

The Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Honourable Asiwaju Idris disclosed this at a Citizens’ Sensitization Programme held at the Government House in Lokoja on Thursday.

He noted that the World Bank assisted Programme under the HOPE-GOV initiative will avail the state of over 500 million dollars in enhanced funding to strengthen basic education and Primary healthcare services in the state.
He added that Education and Healthcare are the pillars upon which a productive, innovative and resilient society is built upon, stressing that improved funding for education and healthcare which are two indices of human capital development is critical for accelerating progress and inclusive growth in the state.
The State Accountant General and World Bank Fiscal Focal Person, Dr. Habibat Tijani, emphasized that the HOPE-GOV initiative will support the efforts of the state government to enhance fiscal transparency, improve budget credibility, and ensure accountability in the use of funds for policies and programmes of the state government.
She noted that the initiative will increase the availability and effectiveness of financing for education and healthcare, improve recruitment and performance of teachers and healthcare workers in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Honorable Wemi Jones lauded the initiative and commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s efforts in repositioning the education sector in the state adding that over ₦1.2 billion has been allocated for external examination fees of pupils and students in primary and secondary schools by the present administration.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams noted that the Hope-Gov initiative is set to revolutionize healthcare service delivery and promote access to essential healthcare services in the state.

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