Clamp on breast milk substitutes in Bahrain

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The Health Ministry in Bahrain said in a statement yesterday that it aimed to increase the breastfeeding rate in the country by 50 per cent in the next four years.

It comes as the government approved a draft resolution on regulating procedures and control on the marketing of breast milk substitutes.

The resolution specifies standards on the packaging and product information, as part of the ministry’s efforts to improve child health and nutrition.

“As per the resolution we will have a more disciplined law that will reduce irregularities in this area and increase surveillance and monitoring on the marketing and promotion of breast milk substitutes,” said Health Ministry nutrition department head Dr Buthaina Ajlan.

“The ministry’s goal is to raise the proportion of exclusive breastfeeding by 50pc by the end of 2022 and convert all hospitals in Bahrain to child-friendly hospitals.”