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{
    "id": 319542,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/319542/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 330,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Bill takes into account the well known benefits of breastfeeding during infancy, young childhood and later stages of life. The International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes is the minimum requirement. Therefore, countries are free to include other measures to promote and protect appropriate infant and young child feeding. Most countries have revealed their legislation to include this. However, this Bill only covers the Code and the subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions. Evidence shows that countries that have enacted this legislation have over time sustained control of use of breast milk substitutes as compared to those with no legislation. Globally and regionally, Kenya is way behind in enacting this legislation which in part explains our poor infant and young child feeding practices. Low breastfeeding rates put the children at the risk of chronic conditions later in life such as obesity, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes and childhood asthma. Studies have also shown that breastfed infants do better on intelligence and behaviour tests into adulthood than formula-fed babies. Breastfeeding saves 11,000 lives of children per year in Kenya. It has fond impact on a child survival, health, nutrition and development. Breast milk provides all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals an infant needs for growth for the first six months. In addition, breast milk carries antibodies from the mother that help combat disease in the child. The art of breastfeeding itself stimulates proper growth of the mouth and jaw and secretion of hormones for digestion and satiety. Breastfeeding creates a special bond and promotes interaction between the mother and child, both of which have positive outcomes for life in terms of stimulation, behaviour, speech, sense of well being, security and how the child relates to other people. Breastfeeding also contributes to maternal health immediately after delivery because it helps reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage which is excessive bleeding after giving birth. This is the commonest cause of maternal deaths because it is responsible for 34 per cent of maternal deaths in Kenya. In the short-term, breastfeeding delays the return to fertility and in the long-term it reduces the breast uterine and ovarian cancer in the mother. Studies have also found an association between early cessation of breastfeeding and postnatal depression in mothers. Currently, the breast milk substitutes are regulated as a standard in the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBs). This, however, does not include regulation of marketing and promotion of these products and has no penalty for violation. The development of the standards in 1983 under KEBs was the immediate transitional measure that the Kenya Government, through the Ministry of Health, put in place to ratify the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes. It was envisioned that this would later be enacted into law. This process has, however, taken too long. This Bill is a health Bill in public interest. In addition, the Bill concerns the welfare of the child hence the best interest of the child is the primary consideration in all matters of this Bill as defined in Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Kenya Children’s Act, 2001 and Article 53(2) of the Constitution of Kenya. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with these remarks, I beg to move that The Breast Milk Substitutes (Regulation & Control) Bill No. 38 of 2012 be now read a Second Time. I would like to request hon. Kimunya to second the Bill."
}