To knock off melamine-tainted milk scare, malnutrition
PROMOTE BREASTFEEDING AMONG MOTHERS - ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today reasserts the importance of breast milk for infants in the wake of health concerns raised over melamine-tainted milk products from China which have caused 4 infant deaths in China, 160 babies more suffering from acute kidney failure accompanied by other complications, and 52,857 children hospitalized, most of whom have recovered, 12,892 of which were still in the hospital.

"Breast milk has no substitute in terms of its nutritional and economic value. This health crisis have only emphasized the importance of breastfeeding considering the health risks caused by melamine-tainted milk products, There is no dispute at all as to which one is better food for an infant. It's human milk and there is no substitute for it. Breastfed people turn out to be brighter and that's not just a speculation, it's scientific," said Angara who initiated Senate Resolution 668 resulting to the immediate banning of milk and milk by-products from China.

He added, "Fears from health risks posed by this banned milk products could be allayed if we can intensify our campaign to promote breastfeeding. It is the cheapest and the safest milk which is readily available for our children.

Philippines joined countries such as Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Brunei in Asia; and Burundi, Gabon and Tanzania in Africa, which have banned Chinese dairy products or at least have taken action to curb its consumption. Melamine-tainted products have caused severe kidney illnesses and other complications to children, who are normally not prone to kidney diseases.

Angara the author of R.A. 7600 or The Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992, however, is alarmed by the declining rate of breastfeeding in the country.

"Only 15 percent of mothers in the Philippines practice exclusive breastfeeding. More alarming is that is has been decreasing uncontrollably in less than 15 years," he said.

He added, "We have a clear mandate here to wage an intensive education and information campaign about breastfeeding among health workers, mothers and public in general."

Angara said that the practice of breastfeeding could save the country valuable foreign exchange used for the importation of infant milks. Annually, Filipinos import around 400 million-dollars worth of milk formula. Another 3.5 billion pesos is used for the treatment of infant malnutrition and diarrhea.

He also said that the implementation of R.A. 7600 contributes to the alarming problem over breastfeeding decline. He suggested that the government should get the international pharmaceutical companies to help and fund an information campaign to boost breastfeeding.

"Breastfeeding is the first preventive health measure that can be given to the child at birth. It is nature's first immunization, enabling the infant to fight serious infection and also enhances mother-infant relationship. Breastfeeding also has distinct advantages which benefit not only the infant and the mother but also the hospital and the country that adopt its practice," Angara said.