NGOs unite to promote breast feeding, tobacco control, and safe water

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