Policy and Coordination including the International Code Group 1 Chairperson: Prof MQK Talukdar Rapporteur: Dr. L Chandradasa Members: Rajit Kumar Biswas, Dr. Zakia Maroof, Dr. Arun Gupta, Dr. Pardeep Khanna, Dr. Azra J Ahmed, Dr. Devnath Mahato, Mohit Chaudhry, Dr. K. Kesavulu Ian Pett, Nirmala Selvam

Recommendations (National) 1.Establishing or reactivating National Committees with sub national committees on Infant and Young Child Feeding. Adopt a bottom up approach in consultation with sub national committees to advise and help formulate national policies 2.The highest level of government in the state should announce publicly the acceptance of the policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding 3.National policy should be accompanied by a plan of action and funding. 4.All countries should implement the International Code on marketing of breastmilk substitutes and subsequent World Health Assembly Resolutions.

Recommendations (National contd.) 5.Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding should: a.Include a coordination mechanism to ensure that the policy formulated is implemented through all government departments b.Include that all stakeholders public and private should include breastfeeding education and promotion as a part of their annual plan and budget c.Make exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months as a national health indicator d.Include the skill training of all service providers on Infant and Young Child feeding e.Synchronize various programs on breastfeeding on priority basis.

Recommendations (Regional) 1.SAARC should put IYCF and the SAARC Code on the agenda of their ministerial meetings on Child Health, Maternal Health, Nutrition etc. and recommit itself proactively on a high priority basis. 2.The South Asia Breastfeeding Partners Forum should continue to meet every year in different countries to serve as an advocacy and learning platform. 3.Engage with SAARC, Social Affairs section to sensitize and rejuvenate action on the SAARC Code The South Asia Forum Participants should engage themselves in National advocacy for sensitizing the policy makers