Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ13: Promoting breast-feeding

Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York chow, in the Legislative Council today (October 25):

Question:

Regarding the promotion of breast-feeding of babies, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the number of breast-fed new-born babies, and its percentage in the total number thereof, in each of the past five years;

(b) whether it has assessed the effectiveness of its efforts in promoting breast-feeding; if so, of the assessment results;

(c) as the Consumer Council has pointed out that certain practices currently adopted by the marketing agents of some milk powder products (for example, using such promotional messages as "close to breastmilk" or "new formula even closer to breastmilk" on the packaging of baby milk powder products, or promoting their products through advertisements or other means) are not in compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, whether the Government will consider implementing the provisions of the Code by way of legislation; and

(d) as the absence of baby-sitting rooms in most shopping malls, parks and public facilities under the management of the Government is not conducive to the promotion of breast-feeding, whether it will comprehensively review the situation and consider providing baby-sitting rooms in the public facilities under its management and amending the legislation on buildings to require the provision of such rooms in public places?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) The delivery rooms of all hospitals in Hong Kong make regular reports on the percentage of discharged babies who had been breastfed to the Department of Health (DH). These reports show that the percentage increased from 60.1% in 2001 to 68.9% in 2005. Details are shown in Table 1.

In addition, the DH carries out regular breastfeeding surveys in its maternal and child health centres (MCHCs). Based on the replies of the survey respondents, it is found that during the period from 2001 to 2004, the percentage of breastfed babies increased from 64% to 69%. The detailed figures are shown in Table 2.

(b) The above figures show a rising trend of breastfeeding in Hong Kong. According to the findings of the breastfeeding surveys conducted regularly by the DH in its MCHCs, between 2001 and 2004, the percentage of babies breastfed continuously for 4 months and 6 months increased from 20% to 25% and from 15% to 17% respectively, while the percentage of babies exclusively breastfed for 4 to 6 months or beyond increased from 9% to 12%, indicating an increase in the period of breastfeeding. All this shows that the efforts of the DH, Hospital Authority (HA) and other stakeholders in promoting breastfeeding are paying off to a certain extent.

(c) The UN World Health Assembly recommends all member states to implement the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the Code) through different means. The Code stipulates that milk powder manufacturers and distributors should regard themselves as responsible for monitoring their marketing practices according to the aim and principles of the Code. The DH has been in close liaison with some non-government organisations (NGOs), such as Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, to monitor the milk powder dealers against any violation of the Code. In the event that a dealer is found in violation of the Code, the NGO concerned will write to remind the dealer of the stipulations of the Code. In addition, the HA is planning to purchase milk powder by tender and all tenderers are subject to the stipulations of the Code.

(d) The DH is committed to promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding and has formulated a "Breastfeeding Policy" to create supportive environment for breastfeeding. To provide privacy for breastfeeding, the existing 31 MCHCs under the DH have set up breastfeeding rooms or areas where facilities such as comfortable seating, washing basin and electric outlet (for breast pump) are provided. We will also consider holding talks with other government departments and the private sector to explore the feasibility of setting up more breastfeeding places.


Ends/Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:28

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Attachment:
Table 1 & 2 to LCQ13