"As a general principle, in all populations, irrespective of HIV infection rates, breastfeeding should continue to be protected, promoted and supported." HIV and Infant Feeding: An Interim Statement July 1996, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. In my opinion the *support* of breastfeeding has been overshadowed by our efforts to protect and promote breastfeeding. I would not like to see the same thing happening with AIDS: the supportive environment required for HIV+ people being overshadowed by the legal (protection) and health education issues (promotion). All three legs are important. Because I believe that what happens here in S.A. impacts on other developing countries, I'd like to share the following. There isn't much about AIDS in the South African discussion document of December 1996: "Proposed National Breastfeeding Policy for Health Workers and Health Facilities". We did manage to get the following clauses in and I'd be interested in your comments. * Included under "Education and support for pregnant and lactating women": Health care staff should educate and support all pregnant and lactating women to ensure that they are counselled regarding human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted diseases, as women's presence at the health facility for antenatal and subsequent care provides an opportunity to share information as to how they can protect themselves from becoming infected. (we weren't quite happy with the wording - anyone care to suggest improvements?). * Included under "Breastfeeding during illness": As the policies, procedures and regimes for the treatment of certain conditions and illnesses (eg:...including HIV/AIDS) during the breastfeeding period are updated continuously as a result of new reliable research evidence, health workers should keep themselves informed on the latest recommendations, especially those provided by the World Health Organisation and by local specialists. This will facilitate counselling of the mother, enabling her to make informed decisions about the most appropriate feeding for her child. Health service managers and supervisers have the responsibility to enable health workers to be kept updated. Sometimes I get the feeling that we are not being heard here at home - you're all a "captive audience"! -------------------------------------------------- Lynn Moony Johannesburg, South Africa [log in to unmask]