The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently inaugurated Breast Milk Substitutes (BMS) State Multi-Sectoral Technical Committees across 32 states in Nigeria. This initiative is a vital part of the agency’s effort to implement the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes in Nigeria, designed to safeguard the health of infants and promote breastfeeding practices. The inauguration’s importance is underscored by its alignment with the agency’s renewed commitment to enforcing both the Code and national regulations regarding BMS. The establishment of these committees signals a coordinated effort among various stakeholders to bolster nutrition and support optimal infant feeding practices across the country.
In September, organizations like the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria and FHI 360’s Alive & Thrive program advocated for the implementation of the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition. They underscored the need for stricter enforcement of the marketing code specific to Breast Milk Substitutes, which is crucial in promoting healthy feeding practices for infants and young children. The marketing code plays a protective role in encouraging breastfeeding, which is recognized as the most beneficial means of infant nutrition. By addressing the marketing practices of breast milk substitutes, the aim is to create an environment that supports mothers in choosing breastfeeding, thereby enhancing public health across the nation.
During the virtual inauguration ceremony, NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, urged the newly formed committees to lead compliance efforts with the international regulations and national BMS laws within their jurisdictions. Adeyeye emphasized the frameworks’ significance in promoting breastfeeding, given its central role in improving maternal and child health outcomes. She highlighted the extensive benefits of breastfeeding, including enhanced child development, reduced risk of diseases, and improved maternal health outcomes, reinforcing the idea that breastfeeding fosters a solid foundation for the health of both infants and mothers.
Adeyeye also mentioned that breast milk possesses unique properties, including tailor-made immune protection and bioactive components, which cannot be replicated by substitutes. This intricately tuned natural source of nutrition offers crucial protective advantages against various health issues for both infants and mothers, including breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic conditions. By promoting breastfeeding, the initiative not only aims to improve child health but is also positioned as a public health priority. Adeyeye’s remarks stress the importance of this initiative in combatting nutritional challenges facing the country.
The Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs. Eva Edwards, shared that physical inaugurations had occurred in specific states, including Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, and Lagos, in addition to the federal capital. She highlighted the virtual inauguration of the 32 BMS State Multi-Sectoral Technical Committees as a testament to the resolve and commitment amongst stakeholders dedicated to enhancing Nigeria’s nutrition landscape for infants and their families. Edwards affirmed that overcoming funding and logistical challenges is crucial for these committees as they work collectively to protect and promote optimal breastfeeding practices within their states.
The inauguration event saw participation from a diverse group of over 300 stakeholders, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and various civil society organizations. This collective engagement underscores the collaborative effort among different sectors in addressing nutritional issues in Nigeria. The formation of these BMS committees not only aims to enhance adherence to existing breastfeeding regulations but also strengthens the overall framework for better infant nutrition in Nigeria, with long-term implications for public health. Together, these efforts reflect a significant shift toward prioritizing nutrition and the promotion of breastfeeding in the country.
