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| Today: 09 February 2010 Time: 10:18 PM |
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| NGOs unite to promote breast feeding, tobacco control, and safe water |
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| Health 5/21/2009 3:52:00 PM |
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GENEVA, May 21 (KUNA) -- Corporate Accountability International (CAI)
representative Tracy Hewat told on Thursday the World Health Assembly (WHO)
that water, tobacco and food - are tied to development, and have an impact on
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's).
CAI is a coalition of 80,000 members and supporters around the world said
in a statement issued.
"The global tobacco epidemic still claims more than five million lives each
year. Full and effective implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control (FCTC) is urgently needed. Preventing the spread of the tobacco
epidemic to developing countries will not only save lives, but also promote
strong economies," said Hewat.
FCTC Article 5.3 provides a framework for safeguarding against conflicts of
interest between the private sector and public interest on a range of health
issues - from access to safe ddrinking water to marketing of unhealthy foods
to children.
The MDGs recognize water supply and sanitation as a cornerstone for
alleviating poverty, increasing development and improving health outcomes in
the developing world.
CAI urged the World Health Organization to promote effective safeguards
against conflicts of interest in any relationship between the public sector
and private water corporations, and to implement such protections with regard
to its own interactions in this arena.
"Now is a key moment for WHO to take a leadership role in shaping an
economic recovery plan that will advance the health-related Millennium
Development Goals. Rather than so-called "public-private partnerships", what's
needed is investment in accountable and efficient public water systems that
operate in the interest of the public," said Hewat.
Addressing the World Health Assembly, representative of the International
Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) Dr. Arun Gupta urged the Assembly to adopt a
resolution in 2010, the reporting year on infant and young child nutrition, to
reflect the importance of breastfeeding in reducing neonatal mortality and for
rapidly reducing under-five mortality.
"The resolution should specifically call for an action plan on infant and
young child feeding and breastfeeding within the maternal, newborn and child
health action plans, budgeted and coordinated as part of WHOs plans for
immunization," he added.
This action plan, he said, should put an end to all promotion of baby foods
aimed at children under age two, and articulate a clear timeline for
implementation, perhaps by 2015.
"The resolution should also call for an end to partnerships with infant
formula industry to prevent conflicts of interests, and to create support
systems for working women in the public and private sectors, and informal
sector of the economy, to facilitate mothers and babies staying together at
least for infants first six months," he said. (end)
hn.ajs
KUNA 211552 May 09NNNN
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