India Achieves High Ranking in Breastfeeding Code Compliance, Says WHO
India scores high on breastfeeding code: WHO
Image: The Times Of India
India has been recognized for its substantial alignment with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, achieving an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 64% among infants under six months. This marks an improvement from 55% in 2015-16, placing India among the top countries in South Asia for breastfeeding practices.
- 01The exclusive breastfeeding rate in India improved significantly from 55% in 2015-16 to 64% in 2019-21.
- 02India received a full score for regulating promotion of breastfeeding to the public and within health facilities.
- 03The report highlighted that 37 countries have legislation substantially aligned with the code, protecting 45% of newborns globally from unethical marketing.
- 04Globally, the exclusive breastfeeding rate has increased to 48%, approaching the World Health Assembly target of 50%.
- 05WHO and UNICEF aim to raise the exclusive breastfeeding rate to at least 60% by 2030.
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On World Breastfeeding Protection Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report highlighting the importance of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Countries that adhere to this code have an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 54%, compared to just 24% in those without legal measures. India, categorized as 'Substantially aligned with the Code,' reported an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 64% for children under six months, up from 55% in the previous health survey conducted between 2015-16. Bangladesh also scored high in South Asia, while China lagged at 29%. The report emphasized India's strengths in regulating promotional activities and monitoring practices, although it noted weaknesses in producing informative materials. Globally, the report indicated that 37 countries have legislation aligned with the code, protecting a significant portion of newborns from unethical marketing practices. The exclusive breastfeeding rate worldwide has risen to 48%, with WHO and UNICEF setting a target of 60% by 2030.
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The increase in breastfeeding rates can lead to improved health outcomes for infants and mothers in India.
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