Infant formula donations banned at Typhoon Ruby evacuation centres

By Mark ASTLEY

- Last updated on GMT

Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) bearing down on the Philippines (Image: NOAA)
Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) bearing down on the Philippines (Image: NOAA)

Related tags Breastfeeding Milk

The Philippine Department of Health has banned donations of infant formula in evacuation centres for those fleeing Typhoon Ruby.

In a December 8 bulletin​, Janette Garin, the acting Health Secretary, said the Department of Health is working to ensure infant formula doesn't make its way into evacuation centres set up in the midst of Tropical Storm Ruby.

Tropical Storm Ruby, known internationally as Typhoon Hagupit, has battered the Philippines since Saturday. 

The Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported earlier today that more than 1.6m people in the country are currently being served inside and outside evacuation centres.

“Exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to six months of age must be continued,"​ the bulletin reads.

"The DOH is working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local health authorities to ensure that evacuation centres are mother and baby friendly,​” it continued.

It later took to Twitter and Facebook to reiterate the importance of breastfeeding "in times of calamity."

According to reports from the Philippines, cases of gastroenteritis increased last year during Typhoon Yolanda because donated infant formula was mixed with contaminated water.

The Department of Health policy is in line with the Filipino National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Breastmilk Supplement, and Other Related Products.

The Milk Code - as it is known in the Philippines - incorporates all the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Code of Marketing for Breastmilk Substitutes.

The aim of the Philippine Milk Code is to "contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants by the protection and promotion of breast feeding."

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1 comment

Principles over nutrition

Posted by Concerned father,

When are regulators actually going to read the WHO code?

It doesn't preclude the use of infant formula; it seeks to ensure that infants recieve the best nutrition possible and in most cases this is breast milk. HOWEVER, at times a mother may not be able to meet the nutritional needs of a child (lactation issues, nutritional deficits etc) and at those times the mother can expect to recieve unbiased and accurate information regarding alternatives to breast milk and products that are both safe and nutritious - this is in the code too.

The prohibition of the use of infant formula in these centers will lead to mothers who can't supply enough milk to their infants resorting to using standard milk, water or other products in desperation. This is detrimental to the childs health but mothers will have no other option.

I applaud the Philippine government for supporting the WHO code where many other countries ignore it however I feel that their interpretation of the code is more in line with what breastfeeding activists tout as being the intent of the code rather than the balanced document it really is. A number of countries have taken this interpretation and it could be inferred that this is simply to keep the fundamentalist breastfeeding advocates out of their hair.

If the true concern is that quality of water is a contributor to illness in these situations then this should be addressed directly and not by demonising breastmilk alternatives.

Breast is best, I agree. The benefits of breastmilk are undeniable and but when it's not enough both the baby and the mother deserve to at least have access to appropriate nutrition - particularly at times of crisis.

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