As Nigeria joins other nations of the world to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes, the federal government says it is developing baby friendly initiative that will facilitate safe space for breastfeeding outside the health facilities. Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire gave the indication at the ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the international code of marketing of Breast milk substitutes in Abuja. Represented by the Director Family Health, FMHz Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, the minister said efforts are on to strengthen advocacy for promotion of breastfeeding in work places. He further highlighted ways breastfeeding can be implemented in the covid 19 era. The ceremony attracted major stakeholders in the health sector including the chairman senate committee on health, senator Lanre Tejuosho who in his remarks assured of necessary legislation to encourage Breastfeeding in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof Mojisola Adeyeye represented by her Special Adviser Gbenga Fajemirokun, expressed reservation at the continued violation of the provisions of the code by manufacturers and marketers of BMS products. She however stated measures put in place by the agency to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement system of the code implementation in Nigeria. Track up The International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes is an international health policy framework for breastfeeding protection and promotion adopted by the 34th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization in 1981 aimed at providing and ensuring proper use of breast milk substitute only when necessary.
