The Need to Invest in Babies “The Need to Invest in Babies” is a

research and advocacy paper by the

International Baby Food Action

Network (IBFAN) as part of the World

Breastfeeding Costing Initiative

(WBCi). It presents sobering facts and

figures to showcase the price countries

pay by not supporting optimal

breastfeeding. The report offers

recommendations – for policy, funding,

and implementation – to reduce this

price. Benefits of action include

healthier infants, healthier mothers, and

reduced medical cost across the lifespan

as a result of the lifelong protection

breastfeeding provides against non-

communicable diseases.

About IBFAN International

Baby Food Action Network The International Baby Food Action

Network, IBFAN, consists of public

interest groups working around the world

to reduce infant and young child morbidity

and mortality. IBFAN aims to improve the

health and well-being of babies and young

children, their mothers and their families

through the protection, promotion and

support of breastfeeding and optimal

infant feeding practices. IBFAN envisages

an enabling environment for all women to

establish breastfeeding as a societal norm

in the best interest of both mother and

child.

Ulkerreuil A Klengar (UAK) located in

Koror, Palau is IBFAN’s Oceania Area

coordinating office.

“The Need To INvesT IN BaBIes”The Need To INvesT IN BaBIes”

From the left: Ms. Bernolina Hedson (Pohnpei), Dr. Arun Gupta (IBFAN Asia), Minister Gregorio

Ngirmang (Palau), Ms. Doris Raimon (Yap), Ms. Christina Stinnett (Chuuk), Ms. Lydia Tibon

(Marshalls)

PROTECT, PROMOTE, SUPPORT OPTIMAL YOUNG CHILD FEEDING

The Tools: WBTi and WBCi The World Breastfeeding Trends Assessment is a tool that guides a self-assessment

process that considers ten critical elements of a comprehensive approach to supporting

optimal breastfeeding and young child feeding. The ten assessment areas are: (1) policy,

planning, and coordination; (2) baby friendly hospitals; (3) international code on marketing

breastmilk substitutes; (4) maternity protection; (5) communications and information; (6)

health and nutrition care systems; (7) community support; (8) communications and

information support; (9) breastfeeding in difficult circumstances; (10) monitoring and

evaluation. Out of the assessment, gaps are identified and recommendations formulated for

filling those gaps. These recommendations then provide the framework for intervention

planning. The end-point of the process is universal access of infants and young children to

optimal feeding. Optimal feeding has been defined by the World Health Organization and

UNICEF as:

Initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth

Exclusive breastfeeding (no other fluids or foods) for six months

Continued breastfeeding together with healthy complementary feeding for two years

and beyond.

Everyone says they support breastfeeding but very few governments, including donor

governments, actually invest money in breastfeeding. While breastfeeding is low-cost and

very cost-effective in enhancing health and preventing obesity and non-communicable

diseases, it is not free. The World Breastfeeding Costing Tool is an excel-based

spreadsheet that helps planners quickly and easily translate actions plans into financial

requirements. This innovative, flexible, and free tool can be adapted for use by virtually any

program.

MIcroNesIa LauNch of IBfaN’s WorLd BreasTfeedINg

Costing Initiative, Koror Palau October 9, 2014

The Launch Program AND PARTICIPANTSThe Launch Program AND PARTICIPANTS

Opening RemarksOpening Remarks Gregorio Ngirmang

Minister of Health (Palau)

WelcomeWelcome Belhaim Sakuma

Chairperson, UAK

Introducing WBCIntroducing WBCii Dr. Arun Gupta

IBFAN Asia Coordinator

Participant PerspectivesParticipant Perspectives Dr. Yuriko Becheserrak (Palau)

Ms. Bernolina Hedson (Pohnpei)

Special RemarksSpecial Remarks Delegate Gibson Kanai Chairperson Health Committee

House of Delegates (Palau)

Closing RemarksClosing Remarks Ms. Berry Moon Watson

Director of Public Health

On behalf of the President and the Government of Palau, Minister Ngirmang thanked IBFAN and workshop sponsors, including the World Bank, for choosing Palau as the

site for the Oceania launch of the WBCi and the IBFAN Report. He noted that

breastfeeding is a natural process, integral to Palau’s culture. Noting that both houses of the National Congress were represented in the launch, he expressed confidence

that the Congressional will fully support policies needed to protect, promote and

support breastfeeding.

While, we all support breastfeeding, Palau’s rates of exclusive and extended breastfeeding will not increase

until we address the issue of maternity leave. In the

public sector, we have two standards—permanent civil servants who get one month maternity leave and non-

permanent who get no leave. Many in the private sector

also get no maternity leave. Like it or not, our world has changed. We need to address maternity leave but in

addition , we also need to address the broader issue of

mother and baby friendly workplaces.

In 2002, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the Global Strategy on

Infant and Young Child Feeding. This strategy recognizes that optimal child feeding

requires “whole of society” support and identifies 10 key areas for action. The World Breastfeeding Trends Assessment (WBTi) tool is organized around the global

strategy. Assessment identifies gaps which leads to recommendations and finally to

action planning. The World Breastfeeding Costing (WBCi) tool allows planners to translate action steps into financial requirements. WBCi was developed because very

few governments and donor agencies invest financial resources in breastfeeding.

While breastmilk may be free, PROTECTING, PROMOTING, SUPPORTING PROTECTING, PROMOTING, SUPPORTING

breastfeeding and optimal young child feeding practices is not free. Like any health

strategy, it requires human and financial resources.

Chairman Sakuma welcomed everyone to the launch especially the Minister, the leadership, and guests from the FSM and the RMI. He noted that breastfeeding is not

just a women’s issue, but a family issue for it concerns the health of our future

generations. He urged everyone—men and women—to provide their full support to ensuring that every child is afforded optimal nutrition from birth through to

adulthood.

Speaking on behalf of the participants in the three-day WBTi/WBCi workshop, Dr. Becheserrak and Midwife Hedson thanked the organizers, sponsors, and trainers.

Both felt that the training had been valuable. The FSM group is committed to

carrying the WBTi/WBCi process back to the four FSM states and the national government. Participants will present at the upcoming FSM Women’s Conference

and organize there for conducting state level assessments. Dr. Becheserrak expressed

confidence that the Palau participants are committed to moving forward and have scheduled a meeting in two weeks to begin the formal assessment process.

Delegate Kanai expressed his support for breastfeeding and IYCF initiatives. Breast-

feeding is a part of the Palauan culture. The working group represented in this forum

needs to communicate with the Congress to provide further information about the

policies that need to be enacted to protect and support breastfeeding.

Discussion Discussion Speakers repeatedly emphasized that breastfeeding is not about women but about

protecting our children’s health and is therefore the rightful concern of the entire community.

Participants underscored the importance of Director Watson’s remarks agreeing that it is time Palau

and the Region adopt maternity leave legislation and create workplace policies and practices supportive of breastfeeding and optimal young child nutrition.

Participants Participants From the Region: TIBON, Lydia (Marshalls); HEDSON, Bernolina (Pohnpei);

TARA, Mona (Pohnpei); STINNETT, Christina (Chuuk); SETIK, Eleanor (Chuuk);

PALEMAR, Benitha (Yap); RAIMON, Doris (Yap); FATHAL, Marietta (Yap); From Palau

Ministry of Health: NGIRMANG, Gregorio; WATSON, Berry Moon; BECHESSERAK, Dr.

Yuriko; DECHERONG, Dr. Kate; DECHERONG, Darnell; FRANZ, Portia; IKERDEU,

Edolm; KOSHIBA, Candice; MADRAISAU, Sherri; MECHOL, Rosmina; NGIRASWEI,

Carolyn; OLSUDONG, Jane; PHILIP, Lorretta; REKLAI, Rumi; UHERBELAU, Gafaar;

from the Palau National Congress: KANAI, Delegate Gibson; SENGEBAU, Senator Uduuch;

From Palau Health Start: IYAR, Fabian; KURODA, Rudimch; From Ulkerreuil A Klengar:

SAKUMA, Belhaim; ASANUMA, Santy; KESOLEI, Kambes; OTTO, Judy; RIVERA,

Lorraine; TEMENGIL, Philomena; TORIBIONG, Debra; Community Representatives:

BASILIUS, Leonard; GIBBONS, Jennifer; KITALONG, Dr. Christopher; MARUMOTO,

Pearl; SAKUMA, Sharon; TELLEI, Sylverius; WHIPPS, Valerie; From IBFAN Asia: GUPTA,

Dr. Arun; SHOBA, Dr. Suri; BHARDWAJ, Prerna; CHANDOLA, Vibharika

Island Times, October 10, 2014