INFANTS’ RIGHT TO FOOD Name: Dr. Quan Le Nga, M.D, Ph.D Country: Vietnam Name: Dr. Quan Le Nga, M.D, Ph.D Country: Vietnam

INAPPROPRIATE PROMOTION OF BABY FOOD Infant formula is described as having good nutritional value, in some cases being very close to breast milk Greatly improved nutritionally None expressed consideration for the infection risks from improper hygiene in the preparation of infant formula or other substitutes Picture of healthy baby Emphasized message: Gain IQ, Grow school A + “for brain growth” “With immunity ingredients” Infant formula is described as having good nutritional value, in some cases being very close to breast milk Greatly improved nutritionally None expressed consideration for the infection risks from improper hygiene in the preparation of infant formula or other substitutes Picture of healthy baby Emphasized message: Gain IQ, Grow school A + “for brain growth” “With immunity ingredients”

Participated by: MoH NIN Women Union Trade Union MOLISA MoET Nutritional OB/by hospital National Pediatric hospital Participated by: MoH NIN Women Union Trade Union MOLISA MoET Nutritional OB/by hospital National Pediatric hospital

WBTi's results dissemination ; Advocacy workshop for providing Government Leaders ( MoH, MOLISA, MoET, Trade Union, Women Union, NIN...) real situation of BF and complementary feeding in Viet Nam, advocate them to support and promote optimal BF and complementary feeding Participate and presentation WBTi assessment in National research Conference on BF and complementary feeding Dissemination the result on articles, news papers WBTi's results dissemination ; Advocacy workshop for providing Government Leaders ( MoH, MOLISA, MoET, Trade Union, Women Union, NIN...) real situation of BF and complementary feeding in Viet Nam, advocate them to support and promote optimal BF and complementary feeding Participate and presentation WBTi assessment in National research Conference on BF and complementary feeding Dissemination the result on articles, news papers

1.AP ( ) for young child care; 2006, MoH approved the National AP ( ) for young child care; BF is one of the objectives and solutions in the AP;

QĐ số 5471/QĐ-BYT, ngày 27/12/2006 của Bộ Y tế phê duyệt KHHĐ Nuôi dưỡng trẻ nhỏ

2. Maternity Leave Policy Minimum breastfeeding duration – What does the WHO and MoH say? Exclusive breastfeeding in first 6 month after birth Breastfeeding with supplementary milk and food until 24 months and beyond

Maternity Leave - What does the Social Insurance Law (MoLISA) say? Female workers in normal working conditions can go on 4 month maternity leave with full pay from Vietnam Social Insurance equal to the average monthly salary according to the last continuous 6 working months with insurance fee contribution.

Current kindergartens are in fact not capable to nurse the babies under 12 months;

Maternity Leave – A step back needed? Before1983 Vietnam regulated the 2 month maternity leave, children then were seriously stunned; NIN provided the evidence of benefit of breast milk, 6 month maternity leave was approved in 1983 and coming into effect during ;

The country’s industrialisation and modernisation imposed the pressure to shorten the maternity leave down to 4 months in early 1990s until presently; Immediate needs for national malnutrition reduction, average person height and intelligence improvement urge the maternity leave extension;

Maternity Leave Extension – Policy makers’ effort In 2009 – NIN did some research and survey to prepare for the proposal, then MoH Department of Mother and Child Health submitted the MoLISA and GoV a proposal for extending the maternity leave to 6 months instead of current condition of 4 months;

Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) is developing the policy. Tentatively approved 2011.

3. Strengthen the implementation of Decree 21 The GoV, UN in Vietnam and some organisations like Alive and Thrive are joining hands to enhance BF through raising awareness Decree 21/2006/ND-CP regarding promotion and use of nutrition and food for young children (from 6 to 24 months old); Efforts are mainstreamed in different project, programs.

BF week Ho Chi Minh City, Aug 2011

CONFLICT OF INTEREST 1.Policy: International CODE & Decree 21/2006 mentioned that breast milk substitutes sells have been prevented from direct contact with mothers. But this is realized in hospitals and maternity only. Actually, mothers stay in these facilities only 1-2 days. Breast milk substitutes companies always contacted with mothers from pregnant and lactating periods. 1.Policy: International CODE & Decree 21/2006 mentioned that breast milk substitutes sells have been prevented from direct contact with mothers. But this is realized in hospitals and maternity only. Actually, mothers stay in these facilities only 1-2 days. Breast milk substitutes companies always contacted with mothers from pregnant and lactating periods.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST Decree 21/2006 do not allow health care facilities receive donation from companies. Association like VAM, Pediatric Association, Nutrition Association… received donation from companies to organize workshop, carry out research… Lack of critical viewing of television and advertising, weak content regulation. Advertising for promotion infant formula appeared in golden time and very impressive pictures, messages… Health care providers receive gifts, donation… from companies. Decree 21/2006 do not allow health care facilities receive donation from companies. Association like VAM, Pediatric Association, Nutrition Association… received donation from companies to organize workshop, carry out research… Lack of critical viewing of television and advertising, weak content regulation. Advertising for promotion infant formula appeared in golden time and very impressive pictures, messages… Health care providers receive gifts, donation… from companies.

2.Program implementation Breast feeding & complementary feeding programs should be coordinated by ministries (MoH, MOLISA, MOET…) and agencies (Trade Union, Women Union). Actually, coordination in program implementation between and within these agencies is very weak. 2.Program implementation Breast feeding & complementary feeding programs should be coordinated by ministries (MoH, MOLISA, MOET…) and agencies (Trade Union, Women Union). Actually, coordination in program implementation between and within these agencies is very weak.

Maternity Benefits Maternity leave: 4 months (paid by the government or company) Women in agriculture areas and in informal sector of the economy do not benefit from national maternity leave policy Facility for crèches: very poor Breast feeding breaks: 1 hour/day/12 months Facility to express and store milk in the working place: Poor workplace maternity support Maternity Benefits Maternity leave: 4 months (paid by the government or company) Women in agriculture areas and in informal sector of the economy do not benefit from national maternity leave policy Facility for crèches: very poor Breast feeding breaks: 1 hour/day/12 months Facility to express and store milk in the working place: Poor workplace maternity support

Thank you very much for your attention!