Health workers oppose the use of breast milk substitutes.
- Mothers encouraged to continue breast feeding infants as opposed to substitutes.
- Heath workers demand local legislation as per the guidelines of the World Health Organization.
Health workers through the Nutritional society of Uganda have advised mothers to avoid using breast milk substitutes as it affects the growth and proper up bringing of children.
This was during a health symposium on the implementation of Breast-milk Substitutes regulations, 40 years when WHO introduced the International regulations guiding the marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
This was adopted in 1981 as an international health policy framework for breastfeeding support, protection and promotion.
The Code aimed at contributing to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants by protecting and promoting breastfeeding and to ensure proper use of breast milk substitutes. Generally, the Code was to protect mothers and children against aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes. Furthermore, the code was meant to ensure safe feeding and better nutrition for infants and young children.
Uganda is a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) and voted for the code adoption in 1981 and is therefore expected to implement all its provisions in their entirety as a minimum requirement and to translate it into national legislation, regulations and other suitable measures.