UNICEF Works to Solve Africa Dilemma

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

UNICEF Works to Solve Africa Dilemma

Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (12/14/00) P. A27
Bellamy, Carol

In a letter to the editor, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy responds to a December 5 Wall Street Journal article about the organization's position on breastfeeding and using baby formula to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in Africa. Bellamy notes that World Health Organization statistics show that exclusive breastfeeding can save over a million lives every year. Furthermore, formula-fed babies are much more likely to die from disease than breast-fed babies, because the water used to mix the formula may be contaminated and also because breast milk is better at building the immune system than formula. Bellamy explains that in pilot programs in 11 nations--projects involving HIV testing and counseling, supporting mothers in their feeding decisions, and even procuring a free supply of formula to women who decide not to breastfeed--"UNICEF is implementing a sophisticated approach to a difficult and paradoxical set of challenges." Bellamy writes that formula is not what is in question--it is improper marketing of formula that is at issue and is the reason why UNICEF does not accept donations from businesses that have violated the International Code on the Marketing of Breast- Milk Substitutes, which was adopted by the World Health Assembly and implemented by numerous governments.
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