Health workers oppose the use of breast milk substitutes.

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.

Speaking at Makerere University -Food Science Conference Hall during a symposium on the implementation of Breast milk substitutes in Uganda Dr. Barbra Nalubanga a member of the Nutritional society of Uganda whose patron is the Minister of Health says as  health workers,they are  opposed to the marketing and branding of breast milk substitutes in health centers and pharmacies which they say has encouraged mothers to use breast milk substitutes which has in turn compromised the good health of their children.