Hi,

The Minister of Health in South Africa took a very brave stand at the Breastfeeding Consultation meeting in August 2011 to address the appalling rising infant mortality rates in our country by repositioning, supporting and promoting breastfeeding. Included in this repositioning is the phasing out of free formula for HIV positive mothers. They will be encouraged to exclusively breastfeed together with ARV drugs taken either by the mother or baby. This will help to reduce the transmission of the HIV and ensure optimal nutrition, reduce high rates of malnutrition and mortality.  

Huge credit for this decision needs to go to Prof Anna Coutsoudis and her colleagues who have worked tirelessly for many years doing the research to prove that this is the best option for HIV free survival.

There have been a few dissident voices to this new policy, but the this link is the rebuttal to their arguments which was printed in the Mail and Guardian Newspaper.
Stop dithering at death's door - Health - Mail & Guardian Online mg.co.za/article/2011-09-16-stop-dithering-at-deaths-door/

The  Draft Regulations relating to foodstuffs for infants and young children are also open for comment and we trust will soon be passed as law. The Department of Health are also looking at rolling out Human Milk Banking throughout the country. 

All hugely positive steps for breastfeeding!

Penny Reimers IBCLC
Durban 
South Africa

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