Not For Fathers Only

WABA MWG Coordinator New Year Message 2012

2012-01-31T11:58:00.000-08:00

On behalf of WABA MWG I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and I hope your 2012 is off to a great start. The month of January is a time for new beginnings, but it is also a moment when we reflect on the previous year. In 2011, Men's Initiative began exciting new programs with a review of its activity sheet to meet up with current challenges. We lost dear ones, but we also received new faces on board. At the same time we have reaffirmed our commitment to continue to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in various ways through community of learning open distance skills training opportunities.
We are proud of all we achieved in 2011 especially with the reshaping of the Men's Initiative e-newsletter. We could not have done it without the support of all at WABA Secretariat, our partners, national networks, regional networks, donors and people like you, who are passionate about the work we do. In your various countries and regions, there are many ways you can play an active role in changing the world through information, education and support of expectant mothers and lactating mothers. Find out more about WABA Men’s Initiative campaigns and get creative with your awareness raising activities! Take a chance to inform and engage people on important global infant and young child feeding issues. Also remember that change doesn't happen on its own. We have to act collectively. When at http://uk.youtube.com/camlink99, click on breastfeeding promotion at the right corner and you will find yourself at"http://www.waba.org.my" web site. Congratulations to our IT specialists for connecting us better every day. We wish that 2012 should open the door for "Peace, Good Health, the achievement of your heart's desires and Happiness!
James Achanyi-Fontem
Coordinator,
WABA Men’s Initiative
Email: camlink99@gmail.com
You Tube: http://uk.youtube.com/camlink99
Online Radio: http://www.spreaker.com/page#!/show/the_camlink_douala_show

Plan Cameroon, BCH Africa and Cameroon Link sign SUFI Protocol Agreement

2012-01-28T08:05:00.000-08:00

By CAMLINK SUFI
Email: camlink99@gmail.com
Plan Cameroon has signed a Tripartite Protocol Agreement with CAMEROON LINK and BCH Africa Civil Society Organisation (CSO) to implement advocacy and communication activities for behavioural change within the frame work of the fight against malaria in the territory of the Health District of Bonassama. Cameroon entered into an agreement with the World Bank Fund for the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to implement a 5-year project: “Scaling up Malaria Control for Impact in Cameroon (SUFI) 2011-2015”. Famari BARRO signed on behalf of Plan Cameroon, Kondji Konji Dominique signed on behalf of BCH Africa and James Achanyi-Fontem endorsed the agreement on behalf of Cameroon Link CSO.
The project is structured according to the “Dual Track”, model with the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health as the Principal Recipient 1 (PR1) and Plan Cameroon as Principal Recipient 2 (PR2). Three other sub recipients (SR) are ACMS, IRESCO and MC-CCAM. Plan Cameroon is responsible for the implementation of the advocacy and communication package for behavioural change in collaboration with its two sub-recipients which are IRESCO, MC-CCAM and the civil society organisations (OSC) at the regional level, Health Districts level and the Community Based Organizations (CBO) at the health area level. 10 CSO in ten regions of Cameroon, 179 CSO in Health Districts and 15.500 CBO Health areas of Cameroon are concerned with the implementation of SUFI project.
Within the framework of the project implementation calendar, Plan Cameroon, in its capacity as Principal Recipient has entrusted CAMEROON LINK with the responsibility to take part and follow up the implementation of the activities of the Round 9 SUFI Project in its capacity as representative of the civil society organisation selected in the Health District of Bonassama to ensure that the interests of the populations are taken into account and that they are involved in the adaptation of the activities for the fight against malaria to the realities of individual capacities and communities.
CAMEROON LINK has engaged to implement the project as presented in the chronogram of Plan Cameroon. It would be recalled that Plan Cameroon places the protection of the Child at the centre of its concerns and CAMEROON LINK is conforming to the same policy of child rights as presented in the agreement.
The signed protocol agreement on 25th January,has been concluded to cover a period of 12 months from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 and It could be renewed on the basis of a positive evaluation of the performance of the activities carried out by CAMEROON LINK. Plan will put at the disposal of CAMEROON LINK, all the necessary documents and information tools for the good execution of the activities of SUFI in the Health District of Bonassama through BCH-AFRICA, which was selected as the regional civil society organisation to supervise activities in the Littoral region of Cameroon. BCH-AFRICA will also support CAMEROON LINK in facilitation where need would arise.

10e Assemblée Générale Ordinaire de la FECABPA à Yaoundé

2012-01-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

Par Mme Priscille Emma Mouto, COGESID Bonamikano
42 délégués ont participés à l’assemblée générale ordinaire de la « Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations », FECABPA, le 26 novembre 2011 au siège de WATAMONOMO à Mvog Ada Yaoundé sur la présidence de M. James Achanyi-Fontem, le président national.
C’est à 10H00 que le président national de la FECABPA propose l’ordre du jour qui était adopté avant la vérification du quorum. L’ordre du jour était composé de :
1.Présentation individuelle des participants
2.Désignation d’un rapporteur ( Mme Mouto Emma Priscille de COGESID Bonamikano)
3.Prière par Mme Mendo Emmanuelle Raymonde de CASAMAC d’Ebolowa
4.Mot de bienvenue de la présidente de WATAMONOMO
5.Lecture d’un Poème sur l’allaitement maternel par un jeune de WATAMONOMO
6.Lecture du rapport de la dernière assemblée tenue chez CASAMAC Ebolowa , dans la région du sud Cameroun par Tsenou Martine Yolande
7.Orientation des activités de la FECABPA en 2012 par le président national , M. James Achanyi-Fontem
8.Organisation d’une causerie éducative sur la démarche pour une bonne mobilisation sociale communautaire dans le cadre de la promotion de l’allaitement maternel par Mme Fokoua Meffo Hélène
9.Présentation de la situation financière de la FECABPA en 2011
10.Cooptation des nouveaux membres
11.Annonce du lieu et la date de la prochaine assemblée générale.
C’est après la prière que Mme Endja Emilienne a pris la parole pour souhaiter la bienvenue aux membres de la FECABPA en disant le groupe AFEYMEK WATAMONOMO existe depuis 10 ans et la légalisation se fait en 2008. WATAMONOMO est composé de 30 membres guidé par un président d’honneur.
WATAMONOMO mènent des activités sur :
La mobilisation sociale et sensibilisation des populations sur les problèmes de santé en générale
La promotion de l’allaitement maternel
La promotion et éducation de la population sur l’importance d’hygiène et salubrité
La recherche des solutions liées aux problèmes de la pauvreté à travers le renforcement des capacités des femmes sur la gestion des micro entreprises et
Le soutien aux couches vulnérables et personnes âgés
Mme Endja a conclu son discours en disant que le succès de WATAMONOMO est grâce à des partenaires comme le ministère de la santé publique et la FECABPA.
Le jeune Endja Mathieu est introduit et il présente son poème sur l’allaitement maternel

Allaitement Maternel
Merci Chers parents, pour la vie que vous m’avez donnée ;
Merci encore pour ce don précieux que maman m’a donnée de façon exclusive jusqu’à l’âge de 6 mois ;
Merci pour cette précieuse protection dont j’ai bénéficié ;
Merci pour cette grande marque d’amour ;
Merci pour avoir échappé aux maladies de l’enfance ;
Merci papa chéri pour avoir soutenu maman pendant la période de l’allaitement maternel ;
Merci à vous les associations de soutien à l’allaitement maternel ;
Merci au monde entier pour la lutte contre la mortalité néonatale, infantile et maternelle ;
Merci maman, merci maman d m’avoir allaité.

Les membres applaudissent les mots affectueux adressés aux parents par le jeune Endja Mathieu et félicitent son talent. Dans le rapport de l’assemblée générale tenue à Ebolowa, Tsenou Martine Yolande trace les activités menées en 2011 en rappelant aux membres la nécessité de payer les cotisations annuelles.
Dans le cadre des orientations des activités de la FECABPA, M. James Achanyi-Fontem, le président national qui est en même temps le Coordinateur international de l’Initiative d’hommes de WABA, a fait une mise à jour de son programme pour faciliter la mise en place d’un plan d’action pour 2012 qui sera axé sur le renforcement des capacités des associations –membres de la FECABPA.
Il encourage d’avantage l’implication des hommes dans la promotion de la santé de reproduction et la nutrition infantile au Cameroun. Il ajoute que les conseils donnés aux mamans doivent aussi être donnés aux hommes, parce que la prise en charge d’un bébé n’est pas un faire de la mère seule.
Selon le coordinateur de l’initiative d’hommes de WABA, l’homme doit être plus prêt de sa femme après l’accouchement parce qu’elle a besoin du soutien, de la chaleur, de l’amour, de la confiance et des encouragements.
Pendant la période de la grossesse, la femme doit être en harmonie avec son partenaire pour éviter le stress et les angoisses, qui souvent modifient les hormones dans les corps de la femme et ceci peut avoir un effet sur le développement du fœtus.
L’allaitement étant une partie très important dans la santé de reproduction, il faut enrichir la nutrition de la mère pendant la grossesse pour que le bébé soit bien nourrit qu’a la nutrition pendant la tété dépend de celle de sa mère.
L’enfant grandit en confiance quand il est gardé par ses deux parents après l’accouchement. Il faut reconnaitre que c’est le droit de l’enfant pour être bien encadré. Le dialogue d’un couple pour la prise de décision est important pour la survie de l’enfant.

Comment transmettre le message entre le couple ?

Il faut étudier les caractères des uns et des autres pour pouvoir savoir quand passer un message pour le changement de comportement. Le couple doit s’entraider.

Comment créer les groupes de soutiens des mères ?
Il faut organiser plus des échanges avec d’autres associations de familles communautaires et initier les activités d’animation.

Comment chercher d’aide financière ?
Il ne faut pas toujours voir l’aide en termes d’argent. Il faut solliciter les aides en nature qui peuvent être transformées en argent. Pour réussir, les hommes et les femmes doivent travailler ensemble et participer à la conception du projet de l’association. Il faut organiser les soirées de récréatives dans la communauté et faire participer les élites. Il faut bien expliquer pour l’association cherche des ressources financière pour la planification et l’utilisation dans leur contributions.

Plan d’Action de la FECABPA

La FECABPA va continuer à organiser les réunions rotatives chaque trois mois avec les petites formations de renforcement de capacité des membres. Les membres seront encouragés à se faire recenser au niveau du ministère de la santé publique. Les lettres de collaboration sont signés au niveau des délégations régionales et les associations doivent transmettre leurs rapports d’activités à ces délégations avec les autorisation d’existence d’association.

Contribution Financière
Les associations –membres n’ont pas fait les cotisations à Mvog Ada – Yaoundé.

Prochaine Réunion
La prochaine réunion de la FECABPA est programmée au siège de Cameroun Link à Bonabéri-Douala à une date qui sera annoncé en mars 2012.

Health Evidence Collection & Usage

2011-12-06T05:13:00.000-08:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem, Cameroon Link
Email: camlink99@gmail.com
A two-day workshop for civil society organizations (CSO) and Journalists on health and use of data ended in Douala on the 3rd December 2011 at Hotel la Falaise. It was organized by the centre for the Development of best practices in health (CDBPS-H) based at the Yaoundé Central Hospital with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Key speakers during the workshop were Dr. Jean Serge Ndongo, who leads the team, Robert Marie Mba, a sociologist who concentrated on how to make well informed decisions from basic facts, Dr. Lawrence Mbuagbaw, who coached the participants on usage of internet links for collection of researched information and Dr. Habiba who shared her experiences during a field investigation for collection of information and health data.
The training started with the introduction of what taking well informed public health decision is about, how to carry out a search of viable sources information on the internet and judge its quality and when the information data is collected, how to make us of it.
The 24 participants drawn from media houses and civil society organizations from the littoral and south west regions were coached during a practical exercise on how to identify and analyze health problems. After the analysis of a problem, the quantified information can then be considered for use in taking a well informed decision that would not be contested.
Dr. Lawrence Mbuagbaw talked about assessing the quality of evidence through explanatory notes covering evaluation, and tools that can be used for evidence assessment. Participants were guided in a practical session of evidence assessment with a case. It was observed that media publications on health did not adequately discuss cost effectiveness of patient treatment nor quantified benefit of a new drug.
The published articles hardly evaluate the quality of the evidence, though many tools exist to treat quality evidence in medical research. The understanding of the workshop content is going to help determine how much confidence to place in the medical results made public almost on daily basis.
It was observed that some journalists have often confused association with causality. In other words, association is explained as two things going together, while causality in one thing causing the other. A good example is that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer and promiscuity is associated with HIV infection. It should be understood that a promoted new product does not always mean the best product. It is simply an effect of consumerism and new products should be marketed ardently.
To publish health articles, journalists are advised to use data bases that have some measure of quality control and that have high quality evidence; The Cochrane library has been quoted as a good place for collection of evidence, because published works are well researched.
Health specialists should be contacted when a journalist is not sure of the quality of evidence and a check list should be used to ensure quality. Biomedical viable information sources are: www.who.int/en/, www.unicef.org/, www.unfpa.org , www.phmovement.org, www.cdss.dros-minisante;cameroun.org, www.statistics-cameroon.org, www.cdbph.org, www.consumers.cochrane.org/

Men’s Support for Breastfeeding

2011-11-28T13:44:00.000-08:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem
CEO, Cameroon Link
WABA Men’s Working Group Coordinator
Email:camlink99@gmail.com
Why involve men in breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is an important part of reproduction and health that biologically involves mothers and children. However, breastfeeding also concerns fathers as their attitudes towards breastfeeding strongly influence the mothers own point of view.
Fathers are generally an important source of support in a mother´s decision to breastfeed and in its implementation. There is also a positive connection between the degree of father support and the total duration of breastfeeding. A father´s involvement in the breastfeeding situation strengthens his relationship to both the child and partner, and helps him to develop his parental role in general. Highlighting the father’s role in more general terms such as parenting can broaden the argument for supporting breastfeeding.

Advantages of an active father role in parenting

Acclaimed researchers describe several advantages when both parents are active and engaged in taking care of children, compared to only one active parent. A few examples:
• Children’s psychological development and social skills are favoured in the communication with two committed parents.
• Fathers develop their empathic ability, considering that women are more trained at this.
• A more equal division of responsibilities increases the possibilities for both parents to fill many roles within the family complex, which tend to make them more satisfied with their lives.
• Cultures where fathers are more committed to childcare seem to produce less hostility and violence between men and women, compared to other cultures.

The role of the father is a gender issue

Gender that is considered to be masculinity versus femininity is a system of continually evolving social practices, which defines roles, assigns resources, and establishes power relations. According to this definition, gender roles are dynamic, constructed through social interaction, reinforced and reproduced by social institutions.
Gender researchers claim that as long as women are assumed to be more responsible than men for childcare, women´s role as mothers will continue to be a major obstacle to their achieving economic and social equality with men. Therefore, father’s involvement in childcare, including breastfeeding, is clearly a gender issue.
Gender equity and equality work towards a society where women and men have equal opportunities, rights and obligations in all aspects of life. From a gender perspective, how paid work and care giving are combined reflects assumptions and norms in the gendered situations of family and work.

Learning about gender issues – for all men

A father’s relation to breastfeeding relates to his and the environments perception of what his role should be. Traditionally, caring for children is not an important part of the concept of masculinity, as it is in the concept of femininity. This issue must be discussed and our ideas about masculinity must be challenged.
Just like the mothers, fathers need knowledge and incentives to be supportive. Attitudes concerning breastfeeding are influenced from all kinds of sources surrounding the family - relatives, friends, practitioners, legislators - and these attitudes can be linked to values of lifestyle and stereotype gender roles. In this perspective breastfeeding should be a concern, not only for fathers, but for all men.

Enabling men to be more supportive
Parental education
Many men need to be better prepared to assume a role as breastfeeding supporters. Studies have shown that breastfeeding education and promotion programs have effects on knowledge, attitudes and support for breastfeeding. Evidence suggests that even simple and inexpensive interventions can increase the level of breastfeeding knowledge of men.
In his supportive role it is also important that the father understands what it means for a woman, both physically and psychologically, to go through pregnancy, delivery and start breastfeeding. A well informed father knows the importance of being patient and sensitive as the mother recovers from the birth experience and gains confidence in breastfeeding. By importing the same knowledge and sharing the breastfeeding moments, the father is helping the new mother to gain breastfeeding skills. He can also protect her from misinformation about breastfeeding in the community, or even well-meant advice from friends and relatives. Sharing the care and responsibility of the new life will strengthen the parental relationship in this difficult period of transition and adjustment.
Today most preparatory courses for parents are organized by the maternity health care. The education is generally of a practical nature and focusing on medical factors of pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. This important forum should also involve issues of social and individual change, and create space for especially fathers to reflect on their situation and role. By focusing on and activating fathers, their role strengthens and they get a wider knowledge, more adjusted to their life situation and thus more useful to them.
There are, of course, many different ways to construct a support group for parents, where they get information and can discuss parenthood. The right way to do it depends on the interests and needs of the people you are aiming at. For instance, a group of men work differently a few months before delivery compared to some months after the child is born.
It is generally easier to reach fathers before delivery than after, which is the time when most decisions on infant feeding are made. The most crucial step is how you invite them to participate: what kind of information about the group is shared, who it is that deliver this information and through which channel. In reaching fathers, it might be better if the "speaker" is a man that the forum addresses complimentary issues that you would expect the target group to be interested in like economics of breastfeeding. This will help to avoid pictures and expressions that might come through as feminine in any printed material, etc

Supporting fathers

Fathers need support to be supportive. During the period of pregnancy, the expectant mother attends counseling sessions at the clinic, but her partner is not counseled. A father that views himself to be subordinate as parent and does his part mostly out of expectation and duty is not likely to give support of a higher quality. It is important for the mother to trust her partner and to show that trust by inviting him to jointly take care of the little child. The father can also be motivated by understanding the advantages of him spending time with the baby, for example that it is likely to benefit the well-being of the whole family.
In becoming a parent, mothers are generally more in touch with examining this new step in life compared to fathers. The supportive role of the father is depending on the values of people around him. Often it is not expected of a father to engage himself in the care of the newborn baby.
A mother may need time and space for relaxation, especially when the child is anxious or ill. Those periods it is an advantage if the father and child have developed a contact that allows the mother to be alone for awhile, to rest and regain strength without having to worry about the other two. This procedure of course requires that the mother is willing to give this confidence and that the father wants to take it. Breastfeeding can sometimes inhibit fathers from developing close relationships to their children and also have a negative effect on the parent relationship. This is a concern that has to be dealt with. Fathers may feel excluded, jealous and resentful to the detriment of breastfeeding success and the adult couple relationship. Helping fathers to find other ways and situations where they can develop a close relationship with their child will be important.
Fathers sometimes feel neglected and made disassociated by relatives, friends and even the maternity services. Fathers can feel themselves as”parent number two” or, even worse, not to be reckoned with as child-care givers at all. Maternity services should develop methods that signal to fathers that they are important and offer them special information on papers or arranging special father groups or meetings.

Delivering right messages

Information can, if delivered in a right way, influence fathers and change their views and behaviour. Engaging with family professionals can impact positively on fathers’ negative behaviour and parenting styles; increase their knowledge and understanding of child development; increase their confidence in their parenting skills; and lead to more sensitive and positive parenting and to greater involvement in infant and child care, and in interaction with children.
In countries where it is accepted that fathers are present during delivery, fathers should be encouraged to do so as his presence during delivery seems to have positive effects on the well-being of both the mother and the baby. Having the father nearby during the first hours after labor seems to make it easier for mothers to successfully initiate breastfeeding and also seems to positively influence the duration of breastfeeding. This needs to be encouraged.

Father´s attitudes towards breastfeeding

Some fathers harbor misconceptions and negative attitudes toward breastfeeding. To overcome obstacles, issues of breastfeeding need to be discussed with both parents, during childbirth preparation classes and prenatal visits. Professionals must make sure that this information reaches the fathers.
The two most common ideas about reasons for the negative attitudes of fathers is concern that their partner's breasts may be exposed to others and that the breasts may change and get less attractive. Actually there is not much knowledge about why some fathers are negative about breastfeeding. If we knew more about this, better measures could be taken.
As described above, a mother's perception of her partner's attitudes toward breastfeeding influences her choice of infant feeding method. However, she is often wrong about this. Scientific research has shown that fathers may have more favorable attitudes toward breastfeeding than their partners think.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a common affliction which severely can lower mothers’ incentive to breastfeed and in other ways cause difficulties to babies’ health. If rightly informed, fathers can be made watchers over the psychological health of their partner, as they are likely to know them rather well and notice if there is some serious trouble arising, and if necessary act so help can be requested through contact with the local maternity service or others.

Young fathers

Young fathers can be seen as a special risk group. Young fathers have a harder time identifying themselves as fathers and, surprisingly enough, professionals tend to neglect them. Also, concerning young couples, the quality of the relationship between the couple themselves seem to be the most important factor for high father involvement the months after birth. This is another argument for involving the importance of the parental relationship in the information offered by the maternity health care and other professionals

Actions for behavior change communication

•Breastfeeding education should be provided to all adult family members, including the father.
•Parenting interventions should always include fathers.
•Give professionals training and methods to reach and educate parents in a way that promotes breastfeeding. Methods may need to be developed to meet the requirements of today’s parents. Among other things a modern and thoroughly accomplished preparatory course would give parents tools for creating a family situation aiming at communication, support and satisfaction, which is favorable to everyone concerned, including the child.
•The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends six months of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding plus partial breastfeeding until the child is two years old. This step should be taken by authorities in all countries.
•Spread the knowledge that children are favored by much contact with both its parents.
•A father should be encouraged to let his partner frequently know that he approves of her breastfeeding, and let others know as well.
•Spread images that taking care of children is a masculine behavior.
•Influence politicians and governments to produce laws that give fathers the possibilities to engage more in the concerns of home and children, and mothers the possibilities to engage more in bread-winning labor.
•Start groups for fathers, especially those who live in a vulnerable life situation. Remember that a first time father usually has no knowledge about all the facts that could be important for him and his child, what his role could be, and that he has to battle against much of prejudice if he wants to become what he can become as a father.
•Find out why fathers have negative views towards breastfeeding and with that knowledge know what to do and how to meet those attitudes...
•Many representatives of society must embrace that they are working in organizational structures that are built long ago and as such carries old values, and that it is one of the duties of these professionals to acknowledge this and make efforts for change.
•Men (and boys) should encourage other men (and boys) to engage in taking greater responsibility in domestic work, caring for children, safe sex and family planning.

Scaling Up Malaria Prevention For Impact

2011-07-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem
Email: camlink99@gmail.com
Cameroon is participating in the scaling up malaria prevention for impact, within the Global Fund Round 9 Program Award. To achieve this, the Cameroon national malaria program organised a vast training workshop in all ten regional capitals of the country with the involvement of Health District Medical Chief,Health Bureau Heads Civil Society Organisation (CSO)leaders and Community Based Organisations (CBO) leaders.
In the littoral region, where the head office of Cameroon Link is implanted, Dr. Fondjo Etienne, Sibetcheu Daniel, Biyik and Dr. Noufack Gertrude Bita, were charged as central national supervisors with Dr. Bita Fouda as the general supervisor of the training in Douala, economic capital of Cameroon to scale up the program in 19 health district of the littoral.
During the training, Dr. Fondjio Etienne, videoed on camlink99 YouTube said, 8.654.731 long duration impregnated mosquito nets will be distributed from August 20, 2011 within 6 days throughout the national territory at the same time. The official launching of the national campaign to kick out mosquitoes from communities will be launched by the Head of state, President Paul Biya.
The training organized throughout Cameroon aims at informing, educating, communicating and sharing experiences on how the scaling up strategies could be effected without any hitch. Regional facilitators and supervisors have been trained and it was the turn of the leaders of the Civil Society Organisations and Community Based Organisations to capacitate them on the message to take to the populations within communities during the campaign.
The first phase will consist of counting the beneficiaries of the impregnated mosquito nets of long duration, to document the number of vouchers that will be distributed in exchange of the nets when the time comes. In affect, all households will be visited by persons recruited as social mobilizers and and registers during the campaign. Officially opening the training in Douala, Dr. Bita Fouda told the participants that the campaign must be of high quality, since all development target groups have been associated to the exercise on the field. This video has been brought to you by Cameroon Link for sharing,because this is the largest and most expensive malaria campaign that Cameroon has ever had. Cameroon Link was selected as the Civil Society Organisation to monitor the campaign in the Health District of Bonasssama supervised by Dr. Nzima Nzima Valery.

Prof. Michael Latham: A Nutrition Baobab Falls

2011-04-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem
Coordinator, WABA Men’s Initiative
Email: camlink99@gmail.com
Emeritus Professor Michael Latham passed into transition peacefully around 4:30pm on(April 1, 2011). He was surrounded by his sons and friends during his transition. Michael 's leadership and devotion to human nutrition worldwide lives on in the many graduate students he has trained, who have gone on to be leaders in their own right, as well as in the many colleagues he has influenced through his research and writings. Michael was seen as a "Living Legend" in international nutrition and this loss is especially painful for Cornell University and the Division of Nutritional Sciences. Considering his activities during the WABA conferences, the members of Men’s Working Group have lost a deeply caring, thoughtful and committed colleague.
The family believes Michael is still with us, just in a different way. They really appreciated all of the support during Michael's period of poor health and they expect to read more about his life in the days ahead. The United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition issued an award of merit to Michael Latham for his outstanding lifelong contributions and service to nutrition in Hanoi, Vietnam in March 2008. Professor Michael Latham was honoured by Dr. Elisabeth Sterken, the Chair of NGO/Civil Society Group who highlighted his important contributions to advancing health and nutrition among mothers and children. Professor Latham has had a distinguished career in academia and in health service, working in Tanzania and Uganda in Africa before joining the Graduate School of Nutrition at Cornell University where he continues to supervise students. He is a cofounder and co-chair of the advisory group of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. His legacy however, is through his students who work throughout the world extending his commitment to maternal and child health.
Still in 2008, about 60 former students of Cornell Professor Michael Latham and his international nutrition program honoured their former professor at Cornell, July 3-6.
The Cornell International Nutrition Alums Reunion celebrated Latham's 40 years as professor of international nutrition, his scientific and other contributions to health and nutrition worldwide and his 80th birthday. Alumni hailed from such countries as Indonesia, South Africa, Tanzania, Guatemala, Sweden and Haiti, as well as from many parts of the United States and Canada.
In May 2007, the African Nutrition Graduate Students Network (AGSNet) presented its first lifetime achievement award to Dr. Michael C. Latham (right), professor emeritus and graduate school professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell, for his work to improve nutrition in Africa.
The award was presented at the first conference of the Federation of African Societies of Nutrition in Ouarzazate, Morocco, May 7-9, 2007. A day earlier, Dr. Latham delivered the inaugural address, "Combating Infections to Control Malnutrition," at the second biennial conference of AGSNet, which was founded at Cornell with the help of then UNU Food and Nutrition Programme (UNU-FNP) director Cr. Cutberto Garza. UNU-FNP still sponsors the network.
Dr. Latham was director of Cornell's Program in International Nutrition for 25 years. He also authored several books, including Kilimanjaro Tales: The Saga of a Medical Family in Africa, Human Nutrition in Tropical Africa and Human Nutrition in the Developing World" and more than 350 journal articles. He frequently served as a consultant in Africa, Asia and Latin America for the World Health Organization, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank and the White House. In 1994 he consulted with Fidel Castro on how to curb Cuba's neuropathy epidemic.

COL Cameroon Link Project Shared With FECABPA

2011-02-28T02:07:00.000-08:00

By Cameroon Link
Email:camlink99@gmail.com
The different articulations of the Commonwealth of Learning were shared with the members of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding promotion Associations, FECABPA, on the 18th February 2011, at the head office of Cameroon Link in Douala on the occasion of the 8th ordinary general assembly. Members of FECABPA used the opportunity to review their past activities in 2010 and exchanged on ways of introducing the open distance learning strategy into their 2011 action plan.
Considering that the World Breastfeeding Week, WBW, celebrated in August each year falls within the scope of maternal and child health protection, FECABPA resolved to work with the COL Cameroon Link partnership liaison for the preparation of activities at the national level with the support of the ministry of public health.
The theme of WBW 2011 – “Talk to Me! Breastfeeding, a 3D Experience” was discussed. The theme is made available each year by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, WABA. This year’s activities will focus on youths around the world.
World Breastfeeding Week is an annual celebration and awareness campaign highlighting and recognizing the benefits of breastfeeding in communities across the globe. While there has been overwhelming support for breastfeeding from various international agencies (UNICEF, WHO, etc), women still face significant barriers and obstacles in their breastfeeding experiences. WBW aims to bring breastfeeding to the forefront of community agendas so everyone can be part of the dialogue!
Within the planned activities of mother and child health care radio design programmes, COL Cameroon Link exchanged with members of FECABPA on the meaning of the WBW theme, what the different nutrition and health associations want to accomplish in 2011,
Issues related to the theme include;
 Poverty Reduction, Hunger & Breastfeeding – MDG 1
 “double burden” & breastfeeding – MDG 4
 Maternal health & breastfeeding – MDG 5
 Unethical formula marketing – Quick fact about the Code,
 Environmental protection & breastfeeding – save x% waste from conserving on trash & cows milk
 Breastfeeding in the workplace – one of the places gov. play the BIGGEST role is policy to allow mothers to work and breastfeed
 Youth & breastfeeding and
 Breastfeeding and human capital development
The COL Cameroon Link Partnership Liaison, James Achanyi-Fontem, who doubles as the International Coordinator of WABA Men’s Initiative for promoting, protecting and supporting lactating mothers called on FECABPA members to work on ‘community’ or ‘communication’ oriented action ideas and highlight new ideas suggestions to improve the promotion breastfeeding activities using communication and youth involvement as well as other humanitarian movements (as organizations that work on the right of the women and children, gender issues, violence against women’s and children’s ,etc)
He added that research highlights will fit in this programme context, if associations looked at “Recommendation” section of studies that deal with counselling breastfeeding mothers, because often it seems like information is passed, but mother does not abide by the advice given by medical professionals. Participants during the events organized from the 1st – 7th August should highlight disparity and need for proper communication.
“With so many communication channels at our finger tips, now is the time to truly share and empower. It is also a challenge for us to think creatively about how to get the timeless message across and involve non-traditional audiences. All a mother needs is to feel supported, and this support must come from all angles, and all social contacts. This year’s theme is meant to remind us that breastfeeding really is a 3D experience – an outreach opportunity, an investment in a healthy future, and ultimately, a unique lens by which to see the world. Remember, men often are uninformed, women need encouragement, and youth are our future, questioning everything. We are the world out there, and we want to know. Please, Talk to me!!”
16 members representing 9 active infant and young child feeding associations based in Limbe, Yaounde, Ebolowa and Douala took part in COL Cameroon programme sharing exchanges meeting, which was reported on Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) and Canal 2 Tv.
On the way forward, members adopted the following general orientations during the year 2011:
 Expand on COL and FECABPA action partnership to include ministry of public health, ministry of education, ministry for women and the family, WHO, UNICEF, and other potential funding organisations.
 Focalise activities on youths in conformity with the theme of the World Breastfeeding Week 2011, “Talk to me about Breastfeeding”
 Organise more COL Cameroon Programme sharing of activities outcome with more national groups, as a means of reinforcing capacities of their members.
 Work closely with associations at health district level for targeting grassroot populations.
 The next national working session with associations was scheduled for Ebolowa, in the south region of Cameroon on Saturday, 25th June 2011.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Donates To Farm Radio International

2011-02-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem, Cameroon
Email: camlink99@gmail.com
The Executive Director of Farm Radio International, Kervin Perkins, has informed its African Partner Organizations that Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will continue to give support to FRI work in 2011. This information was made known in the FRI Weekly Bulletin of February 2011
To break the news, Kervin Perkins said, 2011 is off to a great start, at a time FRI completed the 42-month African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI) and was already pulling together reports and spreading the news about what it learned because of the research.
FRI director acknowledged that FRI gathered compelling evidence, for the first time, that participatory radio works and works well! This means that when radio programs feature farmers' voices and perspectives and features practical, sustainable farming practices they are very widely listened to and have a measurable significant impact on farmers' knowledge and most importantly, their practices.
On the strength of these findings and the outstanding work of Farm Radio International's staff in Africa and Ottawa, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has offered a second grant to allow us FRI extend effective farm radio services to more farmers in more countries! The 92nd script package released in late December 2010, focuses on the very important issue of water integrity in Africa.
Farm Radio Weekly, is FRI electronic bulletin of news and information about small scale-farming for African radio broadcasters, and it passed the 1000 African subscriber mark in 2010. To strengthen its ability to serve these rural broadcasters even better, FRI have opened two small news bureaus in Africa - one in Malawi, and one in Burkina Faso. These bureaus are already generating original stories about farming issues for Farm Radio Weekly. Another exciting piece of news is that the 2010 winner of the George Atkins Communication Award, Grace Amito, will visit Canada in March 2011.
Grace is the producer and host of farm radio programs at Mega FM in Northern Uganda. During her travel to Canada, she will meet with and give presentations to friends of Farm Radio International in Ottawa, Toronto, Guelph and Montreal. Friends and donors to Farm Radio International will get hard facts about Africa and the work of FRI during the rounds. Brenda Jackson at brenda@farmradio.org is booking appointments on this eventful trip by our African colleague. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions on how to expand FRI work in Africa, please email Kervin Perkins through kperkins@farmradio.org.

Pauline Kisanga Directs COUNSENUTH Tanzania

2011-02-04T00:43:00.000-08:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem,
Cameroon Link
Email: camlink99@gmail.com
The Centre for Counselling, Nutrition and Health Care (COUNSENUTH) has announced the election of Pauline Kisanga as new Executive Director for COUNSENUTH, effective from 1st January 2011. According to the organisation, this change is part of COUNSENUTH’s usual process of activating leadership. Mrs. Kisanga takes over from Ms. Restituta Shirima who served as Executive Director from January 2007 to December 2010.
Mrs. Kisanga is taking to the centre a wealth of experience and expertise which is expected to make COUNSENUTH grow, expand and flourish. Mrs Kisanga has long experience in nutrition and management, which includes the years served as a Director for Community Nutrition and also Director for Nutrition Education at Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) in the 1990s.
From Tanzania, Pauline Kisanga served as Regional for the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) Africa, based in Swaziland for 12 years. COUNSENUTH is excited having her and looks forward to very fruitful years ahead for the organisation under her leadership.
Cameroon Link will join all the members of the WABA Men’s Working Group to accord her the cooperation that previous directors have enjoyed. Cameroon Link appreciates the partnership/collaboration it has always had with COUNSENUTH, and looks forward to
even stronger partnerships and working relations in order to continue efforts towards improvement of the quality of life of all mothers and children in Tanzania, Cameroon and Africa as a whole. The chairperson of COUNSENUTH, Mary G. Materu, announcing the good news said, “Together we can make a positive difference”.Congratulations! Pauline. For information, visit the website or write to: Mary G. Materu, MSc., Chairperson The Centre for Counselling, Nutrition and Health Care (COUNSENUTH)
432 United Nations Road, P.O. Box 8218, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
Cell Phone: (255) 754 279 145
Website: counsenuth-tz.org
Blog: http://www.jipende.com

WABA Secretariat Revamped

2011-02-01T04:03:00.000-08:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem, Coordinator, WABA MWG
Email: camlink2001@yahoo.com
Sarah Amin, Director of WABA, has announced two very important promotions within the secretariat of the organisation on February 1, 2011. The announcement was done on Kong Hei Fatt Choy - The Chinese New Year’s day. The Chinese new year of the metal rabbit came with the good tidings of two promotions within the WABA Secretariat:

The first is the promotion of Julianna Lim Abdullah, IBCLC, our very own International World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) Coordinator, to Deputy Director of WABA. Julianna started her new position as of 1 February 2011 and is taking on more of the administrative and management task of the office; working closely with Sita Letchmi and the director.

The second promotion is Sita Letchmi, who moved from Coordinator of Administration and Governance to Senior Coordinator also started 1 February 2011. She is taking on more of the financial responsibilities together with the director of WABA.

The Financial Officer, Dorothy Teng, is reported to have resigned as of 1 February 2011. The Secretariat will be advertising the position for a new Accounts person soon.
Bravo! Julianna and Sita from the Men’s Working Group and Cameroon Link

World's Oldest Person Passes Through Transition

2011-02-01T00:17:00.000-08:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem
Email: camlink99@gmail.com
Eunice Sanborn,114, from Texas, USA died on Monday, January 31, 2011, Eunice was believed to be the world's oldest person on earth until she passed away, although she had maintained she was actually 115.
Eunice Sanborn died at 6 a.m. at her home in Jacksonville, her close friend and caretaker, David French, told the Jacksonville Daily Progress. David French, Sanborn's “adopted” son and caretaker, said her death was a peaceful one.“The Lord just called her home,” he said. “He had been using her as a powerful witness for 115 years.
“It was a very peaceful death. She was not uncomfortable.”
Sanborn has been a Jacksonville icon for years, thanks to her involvement in the community and her ownership of Love's Lookout. She rose to nationwide fame in April 2010, however, when she was declared the oldest living person in the U.S.
Not long after, in November 2010, she was declared the world's oldest living person upon the death of Eugenie Blanchard, a nun from the French West Indies.
Sanborn turned 115 in July 2010 and lived at home with 24-hour care until her death.
She was born July 20, 1895, in Lake Charles, La.
Jacksonville Daily Progress / AFP / Getty Images
Eunice Sanborn, who was recognized as the world's oldest person, died at her home in Jacksonville, Texas. According to official records, she was 114 years old, but she maintained she was really 115.
"The Lord just called her home," French said. "He has been using her as powerful witness for 115 years."
Census records show Sanborn was born on July 20, 1896, in Lake Charles, La., according to the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, which listed Sanborn as the world's oldest person.
But French said Sanborn always maintained the Census Bureau had made a mistake and she was really born in 1895. She celebrated what she believed was her 115th birthday on July 20, 2010 Agence France-Presse reported.
Sanborn became known as the world's oldest person on Nov. 4, when French nun Eugenie Blanchard died at age 114 on the French Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy, The Associated Press said.
The distinction now goes to 114-year-old Besse Cooper, who was born on Aug. 26, 1896, and lives in Georgia, the Gerontology Research Group said. Walter Breuning, of Montana, also 114, now becomes the world's second-oldest person. He was born Sept. 21, 1896.
Sanborn was married and widowed three times, according to a 2008 profile in the Houston Chronicle. Her third husband died in 1979. She also outlived her only child, a daughter.

Men Supporting Mothers through COL

2010-12-02T00:16:00.000-08:00

Learning from Community Media:
Participation, Education & Development
By James Achanyi-Fontem
Email: camlink2001@gmail.com
Sir John Daniel, the President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning, COL, Prof. Asha Kenwar and Ian Pringle respectively, are names that media professionals, who attended the 6th Pan COL held at Kochi, India from the 24th – 28 November 2010 will live to remember for consolidating partnerships on how the agenda of Mother and Child Health Care can be taken one step forward.“Linking Media to Health Development”, which Cameroon Link addressed, was demonstrated through a Radio in a Box experiment at the Meridien Forum Centre in Kochi.throughout the period of the forum attended by over 600 delegates.
The Vice President of Col, Prof. Asha Kenwar, who also doubles as the Programme Director, was taken live on “Radio Commons” at the PCF6 Centre. This COL Forum Initiative aimed at showing how all sectors of the community can be involved in project design, decision making, execution, monitoring and evaluation for Mother and Child Health Care promotion.
The WABA Men’s Initiative Coordinator and Executive Director of Cameroon Link highlighted the current project in Lebialem, south west region of Cameroon producing programmes on the issues of “Mother and Child Health Care” delivered through Lebialem Community Radio as a good example.
Cameroon Link mapped the community’s human resource, and gave equal participation opportunities for involvement of both men and women, including young persons living within the community to tell their stories as a Community of Learning process.
The involvement of men and youths in communities for mother and child health care support creates an enabling environment where men and youths, particularly fathers or partners, participate actively in sharing responsibilities with women as far as caring for their infants and young children is concerned.
In mapping the human resource capital, representatives are drawn from the radio station, the public service sector, traditional leadership, health, education, social welfare and civil society organisations. In effect, the mother and child health care community of learning action is participatory.
The small people in the community are used to address big issues. They are invited for exchanges and decision making meetings regularly. It is during the community development committee meetings that the issues are introduced. Those selected are people who are readily available and accept to service as volunteers, they are respected and accessible by their peers within the community.
During the process, it is often discovered that most of those elected for training to produce the radio programmes are already playing a role of animators within their community or development committee.
Almost every man or woman in the community is known to belong to a meeting group, where regular exchanges take place on weekly basis. Training the members of the orientation committee of local broadcasters only comes to add to their existing skills and capacity; especially as the language of delivery of the healthy community learning programmes for behaviour change is a popular local language.
Cameroon Link’s current activities focus on “Mother and Child Health Care” rights as part of the men’s advocacy channel for behaviour change communication.
As such, the health programmes,
• Continue to challenge trade laws that prioritize profit over access to life-saving possibilities.
• Create men’s, women’s leadership and ownership training opportunities within local communities by the establishment of or collaboration with local health area men/women gender councils and related health taskforces.
• Educate, inform, lobby funding organizations and service providers for the involvement of young persons, especially teen mothers in care and support activities,
• Promote social norm change campaigns through publications, participation in local community radio and television programmes, fostering relationships with media outlets and through well recognized male and female celebrities for the promotion of women and child rights.
• Participate in planning, organizing and broadcasting programmes during UN international and national days with women’s involvement in radio live shows and pre-recorded programmes on Mother and Child Health Care rights..

OBJECTIVES
The Community Learning Programmes on Radio
* increase the awareness of need for and the value of male and youth to participate equqlly in the execution of the radio programmes.
* disseminate information updates on mother and child health care though the radio programme.
* create optimal conditions for the provision of support to the mother

Specific objectives
It is understood that the subject of mother and child health care is very vast and this explains the reasons for putting in place an orientation committee to discuss and decide on the issues treated during the week’s session. This explains why the specific objectives are:
- To inculcate the mastery of basic principles of mother and child health care.
- To advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment through government’s increased allocation for gender-sensitive policies and programmes.
- To vulgarize the main points on the support that mothers merits from their partners;
- To create radio mothers’, fathers’ and youths’ support clubs within the communities to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies for the first six months exclusively and continue with complimentary feeding, thereafter with continued breastfeeding up to six months and beyond.
- To educate youths and men on the international code advocacy and monitoring of marketing by formula producing companies and distributors.
- To Organize HIV prevention and home care radio campaigns.

Perspective
It is the role of the radio station to create conducive environment for their involvement of men and youths to appropriate and own the programme through their support to mothers.
- The other media, tv and newspapers, are used as complimentary channels and tools for community outreach on the involvement of men and youths for mother support.
- Youths Social mobilization conferences are organized in colleges for students of examination classes. This is seen as a special target in the community for the acceleration of behavior change.

Cameroon Link Activities Sheet
Cameroon Link, acting as COL Partnership Liaison makes sure that an activity sheet is designed and used for monitoring and evaluation. Key activities on the sheet are:
• Radio Press Releases
• Radio, television and video programming.
• Radio Press Conferences
• Past Events Film Screening on market days
• Recycling and organization of workshops for community broadcasters
• Seminars for community leaders and heads of educational institutions
• Organisation of panels recording of programmes.
• Photos, posters, story and drama competitions for colleges
• Lectures, educative talks, debates and testimonies
• Concerts, street drama, plays and theatres
• Community social mobilisation: Organisation of Radio Quiz, distribution of stickers, message leaflets, information kits and other promotion publications

8th IBFAN Africa Conference Holds in Mauritius

2010-09-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem
Email: camlink99@gmail.com

Africa rekindled child survival and maternal health interventions towards the attainment of Millennium Development Goals through effective integration of Infant and Young Child Feeding Programmes at Port Louis, Mauritius from the 20th September 2010.Men were really involved in this conference. Just read through this page and discover it for yourself.It was also gender oriented...
The conference was organised by the International Baby Food Action Network, IBFAN Africa with the support of the World Health Organisation,UNICEF and the government of Mauritius.It would be recalled that the Regional IBFAN Africa office supports 32 countries: 27 countries in Anglophone Africa:Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe and 5 countries in Lusophone Africa:Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique and Sao Tomé & Principe.
Countries in the African region as well as world-wide, pledged to reduce under-five mortality rate by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015. “Child survival and maternity health” is the Millennium Development Goal 4.
Subsequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued Infant Feeding Guidelines which recommended that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.
It is estimated that 10% to 15% of under-five deaths in resource poor countries can be prevented through achievement of 90% coverage with exclusive breastfeeding alone. Studies highlight that breastfed infants have fewer respiratory and diarrhoeal illnesses, with an overall decrease in the hospitalization rates than non-breastfed infants.
It is estimated that reaching all infants with a package of interventions to protect, promote and support optimal infant and young child feeding practices - breastfeeding and complementary feeding can contribute to preventing 1.4 million and 600,000 child deaths respectively, or just over a fifth of the total annual child deaths.
The good news is that breastfeeding rates are not declining any more on a global level and have increased during the last decade in many countries, due to concerted programming efforts. Recent data highlights that there has been substantial and encouraging progress over the last 10 years in over a dozen countries, where exclusive breastfeeding rates increased by 20 percentage points or more (UNICEF database, 2007).
Many of these countries are in sub-Saharan Africa. These successes show that progress is possible, even in challenging situations. Positive outcomes are achieved when countries implement at scale, a comprehensive approach to improving infant feeding practices. This could include efforts at the level of policy and legislation, health system strengthening and capacity building, community-level action and behaviour change communication initiatives.
Improving breastfeeding practices requires behaviour change, something that does not happen
spontaneously and without encouragement and support at the family and community levels. This effort is recognized in the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding, which includes community based interventions as one of the new operational targets.
Given the fact that women’s capability to breastfeed is determined by both social and cultural factors, as well as medical and technical factors, mainstreaming IYCF requires both communication for behaviour change at all levels of the population, as well as skilled counseling and guidance given to women from the time of childbirth onwards. Mainstreaming of optimal IYCF, inclusion of breastfeeding indicators in outcome evaluations, capacity building for effective improvement in breastfeeding rates and building public awareness on the importance of breastfeeding is crucial to meet MDG-4, for improving child survival is of immense importance for the Africa network as well as to fulfill the global desire to achieve the MDGs for nutrition and child survival.
Evidence based preventive measures like optimal infant and young child feeding are important tools to achieve these goals. For the African continent, there is an urgent need to contribute to the ongoing efforts by various partners including NGOs, government and UN agencies.
Each member of the network must impart the essential service of infant feeding counselling to the mothers and families coming in contact with him/her. This may require sensitization of everyone coming in contact with the mother and counselling on infant feeding by a trained person.

Conference Background

IBFAN Africa Regional Meeting is a strategic planning activity that is held once every three years for IBFAN members in the Anglophone and Lusophone countries. The meeting hosts National Coordinators of infant and young child feeding programmes and group leaders from about 33 member countries in Africa. To attend these meetings, IBFAN friends, partners, donors and collaborators are also invited.
The Regional Meeting in Muritius was an opportunity to:
• Enrich and update participants on new issues and developments on Infant and Young Child Feeding;
• Provide a forum for reviewing progress of our work and sharing of experiences and information;
• Create consensus on interpretation of new knowledge and matters of mutual benefits, and
• Make recommendations on the strategic direction for the Network in IYCF for the next 3 years.
• Regional Meetings are also an opportunity for IBFAN members to elect the IBFAN Africa Advisory Committee (IAAC) members. The term of office of Dr. Lourdes Fidalgo of Mozambique as chairperson was extended for another three years. The Advisory Committee formulates major IBFAN regional policies and advices the Regional Coordinator on issues of implementation and coordination of regional programme.

ABOUT IBFAN

IBFAN represents a global network linking over 200 groups in around 100 countries both in the North and the South. It was founded by a number of NGOs in 1979, following a WHO/ UNICEF international meeting on IYCF. This meeting culminated in the adoption of the International Code on Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes. The Code was adopted in 1981 by an overwhelming majority of 118 Member States. IBFAN was given the mandate to support governments in adopting, implementing and monitoring compliance to the Code.
The 8th IBFAN Africa Conference in Mauritius was the first during the mandate of the current Regional Coordinator, Joyce Chanetsa.
Joyce brought in key international facilitators to the conference in Mauritius: Dr. Linda Beyer of UNICEF presented the paper on the work of her organisation and current orientations, Dr. Charles Moses Sagoe of WHO spoke on the new recommendations relevant to breastfeeding in the context of HIV, Dr. J.P. Dadhich, who is National Coordinator of the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India(BPNI)to talk about the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative(WBTi), Mr. Hussein H.T. Tarimo, who works with the Ministry of health in Gabrone, Botswana (Food Safety Principal Scientific Officer), Eliane Petitat-Côté from IBFAN-GIFA in Switzerland, who addressed human rights based approaches, as member of the Child Rights Commission and Yousouf Jhugroo, Chief Executive of the Institute for Consumer Protection, Mauritian Action for the promotion of Breastfeeding and Infant Nutrition just to name a few. Yousouf was the key host person of the IBFAN Africa Conference. He put the participants in Manisa Beach Hotel and we use this opportunity to express thanks and gratitude for the hospitality of the hotel management and staff.
The 8th IBFAN Africa Regional Conference was one of success stories, especially as country progress on Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and community Mother and Baby Friendly Initiative(BFCI) were highlighted amongst other issues. Cameroon chaired the session on Thursday, 23rd September 2010 on collaboration issues and election of the new board.
The peak of the IBFAN Africa conference was the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Innocenti Declaration and the award of certificates to meritorious individuals and groups. Cameroon bagged a Certificate of Appreciation for its indefatigable work on behalf of Africa's women and children and assiduous reporting to IBFAN Africa.

SMAM 2010 AU CAMEROUN

2010-08-23T19:57:00.000-07:00

COMPTE RENDU DES ACTIVITES DE LA SMAM 2010 AU COGESID BONAMIKANO, AVEC LA COLLABORATION DU PARRAIN, M. James ACHANYI FONTEM …
Par Mme Priscille Mouto
La Présidente COGESID
Bonamikano-Douala,Cameroun
Après avoir participé aux réunions préparatoires de la SMAM 2010 au ministère de la santé à Yaoundé vint le jour du lancement officiel des activités de la semaine. Ce fut le 03/08/10 que le ministre de la santé à André MAMA FOUDA à procédé au lancement officiel à HGOPY (hôpital gynéco-obstétrique et pédiatrique de Yaoundé). Etaient présents d’autres ministres nationaux, le président FECABPA (Fédération Camerounaise de la Promotion de l’allaitement Maternel), des représentants des organismes internationaux tels que : l’UNICEF, HKI, Helene kelly Foundation etc.
Comme il est d’usage qu’après le lancement officiel, chaque association rentre dans son district de santé pour organiser des rencontres, dans le but de sensibiliser les femmes et les hommes, le personnel médical et surtout de transmettre le message du ministre de la santé, sans oublier des orientations des organismes internationaux sur la question de l’allaitement maternel.
Le 04/08/10 Cogesid Bonamikano a organisé une rencontre au centre de santé sis à Bonambappe-Bonassama.
Nous avons d’abord eu un entretien avec le personnel de santé du centre, puis tour à tour avec ce personnel, le président de la FECABPA Mr Achanyi Fontem et moi-même présidente de COGESID Bonamikano, Priscille mouto, avons expliqués le thème de l’année à savoir : « les 10 Conditions pour le succès de l’allaitement ».
Nous avons été couverte par lles media, a télévision Canal 2 Tv, qui a fait large diffusion de cette semaine avec une emission speciale et M. Achanyi Fontem était l’invité.
Près d’une cinquantaine de femmes avaient répondu présentes à cette rencontre. Entre autres, nous avons assisté à la démonstration et à la mise au sein correcte par quelques mamans volontaires dont l’une ayant des jumelles de 7 mois, celles-ci prenant le lait maternel uniquement depuis leur naissance. Les tricots et savons ont été distribués à chaque maman présente pendant la causeries éducative.
Il a été aussi convenu avec les mamans, la création d’un groupe de soutien des mères le 25 aout 2010.

United Reformed Church Assembly 2010 backs Nestlé Boycott

2010-07-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

By Baby Milk Action, 4 July 2010
http://info.babymilkaction.org
The United Reformed Church Assembly meeting on 4 July 2010 has given its support to continuing to boycott Nestlé over its aggressive marketing of baby foods. Baby Milk Action has welcomed the decision of the URC to continue its long-running support for the campaign.
Nestlé has tried hard to overturn URC support for the boycott. Last December Nestlé sent a team led by Vice President, Neils Christiansen, to try to persuade URC and other church representatives that the company had changed its business practices. However, Nestlé continues to reject the four-point plan put to the company by Baby Milk Action for saving infant lives and ending the boycott. Monitoring conducted by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), shows Nestlé continues to systematically violate World Health Assembly marketing standards. It is a requirement of the four-point plan and the criteria of ethical investment listings, such as FTSE4Good, that Nestlé accepts the marketing standards and brings policies and practices into line.
FTSE4Good confirmed last week that Nestlé continues to be excluded from its list. According to the report from the URC Assembly “General Assembly resolves that if Nestlé obtains listing on the FTSE4Good Index, Mission Council be instructed to rescind the boycott on Nestlé products outlined in the Assembly 1992 resolution.”
The FTSE4Good criteria have similarities with Baby Milk Action's four-point plan, requiring companies to accept World Health Assembly marketing standards (which Nestlé currently refuses to do) and to bring policies and practices into line. The key difference is that FTSE4Good looks to company reports on marketing practices, whereas Baby Milk Action looks to the independent monitoring conducted by IBFAN partners on the ground. A new monitoring report is due in 2010. Current concerns include Nestlé claiming its formula 'protects' babies and promoting it to health workers as 'The new "Gold Standard" in infant nutrition' (see image with online version of this press release).
Mike Brady, Campaigns and Networking Coordinator at Baby Milk Action, said:
"Nestlé appears to have taken a turn for the worse since Mr. Paul Bulcke took over as Chief Executive Officer in 2008. Although his predecessor, Mr. Brabeck, was bad at least he paid lip-service to the World Health Assembly marketing standards - the Nestlé line now is that they do not apply to the company. It is also rolling out a global campaign claiming its baby milk 'protects' babies and reduces diarrohea. Its claims do not stand up to scrutiny, endanger health and violate the marketing standards. We have stopped such strategies in the past through pressure from the boycott, but Nestlé keeps coming back with new strategies to boost sales regardless of the impact on infant health."
"We hope the United Reformed Church decision will add to the pressure from our current 'email Nestlé' campaign to persuade Nestlé to drop its 'protect' claims and accept our four-point plan for ending the boycott."
For further information, contact Mike Brady on 07986 736179.
Click here for Baby Milk Action's Email Nestlé campaign.
Click here for details of the four-point plan and FTSE4Good criteria and Nestlé's response to it.
Click here for Baby Milk Action's briefing prepared for the URC Assembly, with images, links and references.
Point 1 of the four-point plan states that Nestlé must state in writing that it accepts that the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and the subsequent, relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions are minimum requirements for every country.
In its response to members of the public calling on it to respect the Code and Resolutions, Nestlé claimed in July 2010: "For your information, the World Health Assembly does not formulate marketing standards – rather it makes health policy recommendations to Member States. It is up to each Member State to determine how it implements these policy recommendations in their own country, according to their development goals and their social and legislative framework."
In truth, the International Code was adopted in 1981 and article 11.3 is clear:"Independently of any other measures taken for implementation of this Code, manufacturers and distributors of products within the scope of this Code should regard themselves as responsible for monitoring their marketing practices according to the principles and aim of this Code, and for taking steps to ensure that their conduct at every level conforms to them."
The World Health Assembly restated in May 2010 (Resolution 63.23) that it “CALLS UPON infant food manufacturers and distributors to comply fully with their responsibilities under the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions;” and expressed "deep concern over persistent reports of violations". Improvements to breastfeeding rates and complementary feeding practices “could save annually the lives of 1.5 million children”.
Nestlé's refusal to accept the validity of the Code and Resolutions is also preventing it from being included in the FTSE4Good ethical investment list. See, in particular, points 3 and 4 of the Policy Criteria of FTSE4Good Breastmilk Substitutes Marketing Criteria.

SMAM 2010 Est Là !

2010-07-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

LA REUNION PREPARATOIRE DE LA 19eme EDITION DE LA SEMAINE MONDIALE DE L’ALLAITEMENT MA TERNEL (SMAM 2010)
Thème: « Allaitement Maternel: Suivre les Dix Conditions pour Garantir la Sante de l'Enfant et de la Mère ».
Le vendredi, 09 juillet 2010, s’est tenue dans la salle de réunion de la Direction de la Promotion de la Sante, la première réunion préparatoire de la Semaine Mondiale de l’Allaitement Maternel (SMAM 2010) sous la présidence de Monsieur OKALA Georges, Sous-directeur de l’alimentation et de la Nutrition en lieu et place du Directeur de la Promotion de la Sante empêché. 43 personnes ont participés à la réunion.
La liste des participants est jointe en annexe. Quatre points étaient inscrits à l’ordre du jour, à savoir:
1. Mot introductif du Directeur de la Promotion de la Sante;
2. Présentation du thème de la SMAM 2010 ;
3. Présentation des plans d'action des Associations;
4. Questions diverses.
1- Mot introductif du Sous-directeur de I ‘alimentation et de la Nutrition dans son mot introductif, le Sous-directeur de l'alimentation et de la Nutrition, a tout d'abord adressé les remerciements à tous les participants et leur a souhaite la bienvenue à cette première réunion préparatoire.
Il a ensuite évoque l'augmentation du taux de l'allaitement maternel au vu des statistiques : 1 % il y a 15 ans, 11 % environ en 1998 et en 2006, nous sommes passés a 24 %. La mise au sein à l'heure qui suit l'accouchement a pris également le même chemin. Il a rappelé que la SMAM est un moment ou nous nous arrêtons pour réfléchir et faire le point.
Apres ce propos liminaire, l’ordre du jour proposé a été adopte.
2- Présentation du thème de la SMAM 2010
Le thème retenu cette année est « Allaitement Maternel: Suivre les Dix Conditions pour Garantir la Sante de I’ Enfant et de la Mère ».
Les dix conditions pour le succès de I' allaitement, recommandées à tout établissement qui fournit des services de maternité et des soins au nouveau-né sont:
1. Adopter une politique d’allaitement maternel formulée par écrit.
2. Donner à tous les membres du personnel soignant les compétences nécessaires pour mettre en œuvre cette politique.
3. Informer toutes les femmes enceintes des avantages de I' allaitement maternel.
4. Placer le bébé en peau a peau avec sa mère immédiatement à la naissance, pendant au moins une heure et encourager la mère a reconnaitre quand le bébé est prêt a téter, en proposant de I' aide si besoin.
5. Indiquer aux mères comment pratiquer I' allaitement au sein et comment entretenir la lactation même si elles se trouvent séparées de leur nourrisson.
6. Ne donner aux nouveau-nés aucun aliment ni aucune boisson autre que le lait maternel, sauf indication médicale.
7. Laisser l'enfant avec sa mère 24h/24h par jour.
8. Encourager I' allaitement au sein à la demande de I' enfant.
9. Ne donner aux enfants nourris au sein aucune tétine artificielle ou sucette.
10. Encourager la constitution d'associations de soutien a l'allaitement maternel et leur adresser les mères des leur sortie de l'hôpital ou de la clinique.
Apres la présentation de ces conditions, les objectifs et les résultats attendus de la SMAM 2010 ont également été présentés :
OBJECTIFS DE LA SMAM 2010
• Souligner la contribution importante des Dix Conditions a I' allaitement maternel exclusif;
• Dynamiser les activités au sein des systèmes de sante, et parmi les agents de sante et les communautés, afin de soutenir les femmes dans leur projet d’allaitement;
• Informer les gens partout dans le monde que la protection, la promotion et le soutien de l’allaitement maternel est un droit de la mère, un droit de l’enfant, et un droit humain ;
• Permettre aux femmes et a tous ceux qui se soucient des droits humains de se battre en faveur des systèmes de soins qui soutiennent I' allaitement maternel ;
• Assurer que les agents de sante qui prennent soin des mères et des bébés aient une formation adéquate pour conseiller et soutenir I’ alimentation optimale du nourrisson.
Résultats attendus
• .La contribution des Dix Conditions a I' allaitement maternel exclusif soulignée;
• Les activités au sein des systèmes de sante et parmi les agents de sante et les communautés dynamisées, afin de soutenir les femmes dans leur projet de l’allaitement;
• .Les leaders informés que la protection, la promotion et le soutien de l'allaitement maternel sont des droits de la mère, de l'enfant et des droits humains;
• Les femmes et tous ceux qui se soucient des droits humains aptes à se battre en faveur des systèmes de soins qui soutiennent I ‘allaitement maternel;
• Les agents de sante qui prennent soin des mères et des bébés adéquatement formés pour conseiller et soutenir l'alimentation optimale au nourrisson.
Le Président de Cameroon Link, James Achanyi-Fontem, est intervenu à la suite de ces présentations
pour réitérer les VOEUX de la WABA de 2010 qui est celui d’avoir plus de 22.000 hôpitaux Ami des Bébés cette année. II a suggéré que le Ministère de la Sante puisse évaluer les Hôpitaux Amis des Bébés parce que le Cameroun n'a aucun Hôpital Amis des Bébés labélisé jusqu' a présent.
Certains représentants des structures sanitaires ont soulevé le problème de la promotion faite par les fabricants et distributeurs des laits artificiel ainsi que leur influence sur les responsables des établissements qui fournissent des services de maternité par la remise des dons de laits artificiels. Les participants ont sollicite l'intervention du Ministre de la Sante sur ce phénomène.
Une instruction interdisant les affiches de la société laitière et des substituts de lait maternel devrait également être donnée aux responsables des structures sanitaires.
Il a été propose d'intégrer le volet de l'allaitement maternel dans les programmes scolaires pour la sensibilisation des jeunes filles. Pour I' amélioration du volet communication, des propositions doivent être faites auprès de nos partenaires (UNICEF, HKI,...) afin qu'ils mettent d'autres supports a la disposition des associations.
Le Président de séance est revenu sur les facteurs qui font régresser l'allaitement maternel à savoir:
• l'influence des medias et des coutumes. II a indiqué qu'il est nécessaire d'informer et de sensibiliser Ie public sur la pratique de l'allaitement maternel exclusif qui doit être introduite le plus tôt possible.
Présentations des Plans d’Action des Associations
Deux associations ont présenté leur plan d'action. II s'agit de l’AJPEC et Cameroon Link. Cette dernière a produit deux films vidéo sur l'allaitement maternel et sollicite un appui du Ministère de la sante pour la reproduction afin qu'ils puissent être a la disposition de toutes les associations.
Le président de séance a recommandé aux Associations d’avoir des messages concis et qui accrochent tout en tenant compte des dix conditions. Les associations doivent automatiquement avoir un point d’encrage qui est le district de sante.
Divers
Des questions relatives a la reproduction du film ont été abordées. Une autocritique du film sur le fond et la forme sera faite par les responsables du Ministère de la Sante.
Une participante a voulu savoir l’appui que pourrait apporter le Ministère de la Sante en faveur des Associations pendant la SMAM. Sur ce point, Ie président de séance a précisé que Celle des associations qui sollicitent l’appui du Ministère de la Sante devrait déposer a la DCOOP un dossier bien ficelé et comprenant un plan d’action et un programme.
Cette réunion permettra de préciser le niveau de réalisation des activités et de s’accorder sur le jour de lancement et le lieu.
La Liste des Participants
1. Dr. Takou Virginie – HGOPY Ngousou
2. Eben Mado – HGOPY Ngousou
3. Fongang K. Luc – Step Ministry Yaounde
4. James Achanyi- Fontem, Cameroon Link Douala
5. Yvonne Bekeny – Cameroon Link Douala
6. Andela Elisabeth – AFFE Mbalmayo
7. Ngo Poha Priscille Sabine – Ahead Biyem Assi
8. Etong Jeanne – NOLFOWOP
9. Louis Amagnia Ndémé – Maléo Santé Plus
10. Messe Suzanne – Alternative Santé
11. Ngale Judith – GICOMDEF
12. Ossombe Marie Claire – CASAMAC Ebolowa
13. Nfong Yvette Marie Delphine – Assistance Action
14. Mouto Priscille - COGESID Bonamikano
15. Tsenou Martine Yolande – AFEYMEK WATAMONOMO
16. Melingui Rosalie - AFEYMEK WATAMONOMO
17. Dr. Mbah Joan née Ebong Ngole – Foundation Mbororo Batibo, NW Region
18. Dr. Jeanne Ejigui – UNICEF Cameroun Yaoundé
19. Joseph Ngon à Keedi – CIFAS
20. Nyassa Marie Juliette – UFFATMC
21. Mary Neh Ngwa – COGESID Mambanda
22. Samuel Mbah – COGESID Mambanda
23. Zoa Catherine – CAMNAFAW Yaoundé
24. Molo Ngono Jeannette – HGOPY Ngousou
25. Lissouck Marie Germaine – NOLFOWOP
26. Tata Japhet Ngol – DPS/MINSANTE
27. Chi Jacqueline- Caring For Women (CAFOW)
28. Makendi Theodore - Atrapracam
29. Ngo Mbogba Désirée – Atrapracam
30. Baleng Joanny – Atrapracam
31. Ngo Béa Elisabeth – Atrapracam
32. Djoky Deampess – Atrapracam
33. Tematio Josephine – Ahead Biyem Assi
34. Kangue Koum Henry – CBNCA/DPS/MINSANTE
35. Ntonga André Aggée – Helen Kelly International
36. Zintsem Marie – CIFAS
37. Mme Mbassi - ISSR Yaounde
38. Aboubakar Mgbekoum – ASS. Journalistes de la Presse Ecrite du Cameroun
39. Ngoudzo Mabah Martine – Vine Yard Cameroun
40. Fokoua Meffoh – ASSOCASFIASAR Yaounde
41. Numfo Beris - Nka'ah Women Bamenda
42. Mbeng Akomba – CBD/MINSANTE Yaoundé
43. Okala Georges – S/DAN/MINSANTE Yaoundé

7e Assemblée Générale de la FECABPA

2010-07-27T17:31:00.000-07:00

7e Assemblée Générale de la FECABPA au Pont So’o , Mbalmayo
le 24 juillet 2010
Par Mme Chi Jacqueline, CAFOW Yaoundé
Les travaux de la 7e Assemblée Générale de la FECABPA ont débuté à 10h10 avec l’inscription des participants et les membres ont délibérés au tour d’un ordre du jour de 12 points :
1. Inscription
2. Prière par un participant
3. Présentation de l’ordre du jour et adoption par les membres de la FECABPA
4. Mot de Bienvenue du Chef de Village de Pont So’o, Mbalmayo
5. Présentation de l’Association des Femmes et Filles Entrepreneurs, AFFE
6. Lecteur du rapport de la 6e l’Assemblée Générale Ordinaire à Bonamikano-Douala
7. Orientation des activités de la FECABPA par le Président du Conseil d’Administration
8. Echanges sur les stratégies à adopter par la FECABPA dans le cadre de la mobilisation
9. Présentation du rapport financier et paiement des cotisations
10. Introduction des nouveaux membres et inscription sur la liste adhérents
11. Divers et annonces
12. Photo de famille, réception et clôture .
La séance s’ouvre par une prière en langue nationale (Ewondo) par Mme ABOMO Sabine, suivi directement du mot de bienvenue par le Chef du Village de Pont So’o, M. Ndzie Balla Joël qui a dressé la situation géographique de son village.
Pont-So'o est la porte d'entrée de la ville de Mengueme entouré par une grande forêt dont la superficie ne saurait être estimée, arrosé par deux grandes rivières So'o et Falla. La population de Pont So’o est à 90% jeunes, vivant essentiellement de I’ agriculture, la pêche et le petit commerce.
Pour lutter contre la pauvreté, les habitants du village Pont So’o se sont regroupés en Associations et GICS dont AFFE fait parti.
Le Chef du Village de Pont So’o, M. NDZIE BALLA Joël a révélé que la visite du siège d’AFFE dans le cadre de la mobilisation sociale des populations pour la promotion, la protection et le soutien de I’ allaitement maternel témoigne !'Importance que la FECABPA a pour cette association qui est membre de la coalition des associations et ONG de nutrition au Cameroun.
Le Chef NDZIE BALLA ajoute qu’on ne saurait estimer les avantages que les foyers de son village tiennent en pratiquant I’ allaitement maternel exclusive pendant les six premiers mois de la vie des bébés comme moyen de lutte contre la pauvreté. Il a terminé son propos en tirant un coup de chapeau à Madame MBARGA I-Honorine qui apporte toujours un plus pour le bien être de ses frères et sœurs du village.
Après le mot du chef, la présidente de l’AFFE, Mme Mbarga Honorine, a continué avec une liste des activités qu’elle mène avec ses membres pour la promotion de l’allaitement maternel dans leur village. Elle a encouragé les initiatives de la FECABPA qui éclairent la route des adhérents. Elle exhorte à travers son vaillant président, M. James Achanyi-Fontem, d’aller de l’avant pour soutenir AFFE au Pont So’o - Mbalmayo.
C’est à la suite de Mme Mbarga que le président de la FECABPA, M. James Achanyi-Fontem, a pris la parole pour présenter les activités de la FECABPA dont les objectifs principaux sont tournés vers la promotion de la nutrition infantile au Cameroun et les échanges avec les réseaux internationales pour la promotion, la protection et le soutien de l’allaitement maternel. Le message d’or est « Allaitement Maternel Exclusif de 0 à 6 mois».
Le président de la FECABPA a exhorté et encouragé les mamans à allaiter les bébés aux seins afin d’assurer leur bonne croissance qui met à l’abri des différentes maladies. Il a ajouté que la tâche d’allaiter les bébés n’incombe pas seulement aux mères, mais elles doivent le faire avec le soutien des pères.
Le bébé retrouve son bon démarrage de croissance dans le premier lait appelé « Le colostrum » , il a insisté en exhortant les mères à ne pas faire rater ce lait à leurs bébés , car il développe le cerveau de leurs bébés et les distingue des enfants nourris au lait artificiel.
M. Achanyi-Fontem qui coordonne l’Initiative d’Homme de WABA a profiter de l’événement pour annoncer la 8e Conférence du réseau Africaine prévue à l’Ile Mauritius du 20 au 23 septembre 2010 et le Forum des Partenaires Globaux de WABA programmé à Penang, en Malaysie de 17 au 20 octobre 2010.
Le président de la FECABPA a fini son propos par remercier le chef du village, M. Ndzie Balla Joël, et la présidente d’AFFE, Mme Mbarga Honorine pour l’accueil et la forte mobilisation de populations de Pont So’o.
L’orientation du président de la FECABPA est suivie par la lecture du rapport de la 6e Assemblée Générale Ordinaire qui s’est tenue à Bonamikano – Douala IV au siège de COGESID. La lecture est faite par Mme TSENOU Martine Yolande de AFEYMEK (WATAMONOMO) de Yaoundé. Dans ce rapport, il est noté que le thème de la Semaine Mondiale de l’Allaitement Maternel 2010 est « l’Allaitement Maternel ! 10 Pas ! Une Condition après l’autre, Sur le Chemin des Amis des Bébés ! » . (Voir le Rapport de la 6e AGO à Douala).
Le président de la FECABPA a pris la parole pour présenter la situation financière de la fédération, en expliquant les conditions d’adhésion dont les frais s’élèvent à CFA 10.000 et les cotisations annuelles à CFA 15.000. La cotisation annuelle de Quinze Mille Francs CFA est payable au plus tard en Juin de chaque année. Les fonds collectés couvrent les dépenses liés au fonctionnement et la gestion des activités du secrétariat de la FECABPA.
Le président a ensuite expliqué le sens du travail de volontariat de la Fédération jusqu’à ce jour, dont le bon fonctionnement demande beaucoup de sacrifices. C’est le cas de soutien dans la réception et au transport des membres des associations membres de la FECABPA (L’Aide de CFA 10.000 à AFFE et CFA 20.000 pour le transport de membres à Pont So’o Mbalmayo).
Après les finances, les travaux de l’assemblée générale ont continué avec la présentation et l’explication des 10 étapes (Conditions pour le succès de l’allaitement maternel) en Français et en Bulu (langue nationale) par Dr. Joan Mbah Ebong Ngollé de la Fondation FONBORORO et Mme Tsenou Martine Yolande de AFFEYMEK - WATAMONOMO.
Il est annoncé que le lancement officiel de la SMAM 2010 est prévu pour le mardi 03 août à l’Hôpital Gynéco-Obstétrique et Pédiatrique de Ngousou – Yaoundé. Pendant les délibérations, les membres de l’AFFE faisaient de petites pauses d’animation en chants et danses. A la fin des travaux, le président de la FECABPA a repris la parole pour inviter le Chef du Village Pont So’o a clôturer la 7e Assemblée Générale Ordinaire. Ce dernier a exprimé sa gratitude et son souhait de revoir la FECABPA à Pont So’o..
L’Association FONBORORO MEDICAL FOUNDATION du PCA de SONARA , ancien Ministre, Monsieur EBONG NGOLLE a joint la Fédération en payant ses droits d’adhésion et cotisation annuelle qui s’élève à 25000 F CFA.
La prochaine réunion est prévue en Novembre 2010 au siège de COGESID MABANDA –BONABERI. C’est avec les photos de famille que les travaux de la 7e Assemblée Générale de la FECABPA se sont clôturés autour d’un grand repas avec le vin de palme offert par AFFE Pont So’o.

Birthing the World Conference In Quebec, Canada

2010-07-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

The Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ) has made public that BIRTHING THE WORLD will hold at the Quebec City Convention Centre, from November 25-26, 2010. The Conference on Best Practices in Perinatal Care aims at exploring and reflecting upon an interdisciplinary perspective, the multiple dimensions of the early period of life. This event is intended as a major step forward in how health experts conceive and perceive perinatal care. The conference gives a unique opportunity for perinatal care practitioners of all stripes to come together around common issues relating to childbirth, breastfeeding and becoming parents, to share their knowledge with one another and to concert their efforts for the benefit of pregnant women and their families. It is expected to draw to one location a broad array of perinatal care practitioners who, though operating in the same field, rarely get the chance to share their experiences and questions. It is being organized in partnership with the Association des omnipraticiens en périnatalité du Québec (AOPQ), the Regroupement des Sages-femmes du Québec (RSFQ) and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). A Birthing the World website has been launched to inform the public on activities surrounding the conference. For more information, click on the following link - www.birthingtheworld.com

Prof. Anwar Fazal, WABA's Chairperson Emeritus Honoured

2010-07-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

Professor Dato Anwar Fazal has been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award. WABA Men’s Working Group extends their “Congratulations” to Professor Dato’ Anwar Fazal, for his great achievements. The Chairperson Emeritus of World Alliance of Breastfeeding Action (WABA), is the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award Winner by the Consumers International and the Federation of Malaysians Consumers Association. This was on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary celebration of Consumers International. He was described during the occasion as 'the most influential figure in the history of the international consumer movement'. The Award was presented to him by Kenyan consumer activist Samuel Ochieng, the current President, of Consumers International. Anwar is also currently the Director of the Right Livelihood College, based at the Centre of Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS), Universiti Sains Malaysia. The Men’s Working Group is very proud to have Prof. Anwar Fazal as its WABA torch light.

Susan Siew Quits WABA’s Co-Directorship

2010-07-05T05:17:00.000-07:00

Source:WABA Secretariat
www.waba.org.my
WABA Secretariat organised a farewell event for Susan Siew following her resignation after Co-Directorship for 15 years. She resigned from WABA as of 1 June 2010 to enjoy the 3Rs of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. A formal handover ceremony had been conducted on Tuesday 25th May, 2010 in the presence of Dato Anwar Fazal, WABA's Chairperson Emeritus and coordinators of the WABA Local Governance Task Force. This was followed by staff organised farewell dinner party. The WABA Men’s Working Group wishes Susan all the best in her future undertakings and knowing that she will always be part of the breastfeeding movement. The WABA Secretariat will now be led by Sarah Amin as Executive Director.
In a message from the Chairperson of the steering Committee, Dr. Felicity Savage, on the 18th May 2010, she observed that She had been with WABA for 15 years, from its early years, and has worked extremely hard with fellow Director, Sarah Amin, to build the organisation up and to make it what it is. Susan brought important expertise and experience from her previous work, particularly with the global consumer, environmental and health movement, and led WABA’s advocacy and organising work with great skill and insight. Susan Siew was instrumental in the organization of past two highly successful WABA Global Forums.
Susan also brought to WABA her special communication design expertise from her work with renowned publishing and design firms in Toronto and New York prior to joining the global breastfeeding promotion, protection and support movement. . She designed and art-directed a group of young designers who produced WABA publications and key campaign materials particularly World Breastfeeding Week.
After 15 years of devoted service to WABA, Susan changed direction and is now looking for a new life path. In Dr. Felicity Savage, “We are confident that she has left WABA strong and well prepared to continue into the future, and our ongoing achievements will owe much to her legacy and high standards.” The Mén’s Working Group joins WABA Steering Committee in wishing Susan well as she looks forward to a period of well deserved rest and recreation, to continued friendship, and new possibilities opening up for her in future. WABA Secretariat

Global Breastfeeding Partners’ Forum 2010

2010-07-05T05:10:00.000-07:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem
Coordinator
WABA Men's Initiative
camlink99@gmail.com
From 17 – 20 October 2010, Bayview Beach Resort in Penang, Malaysia will host a global forum allowing for greater networking among WABA participants
and the Core Partner organisations – ABM, IBFAN, ILCA, LLLI and Wellstart International. Participants will revisit and celebrate Innocenti Declaration’s 20 years, under the theme “Enabling Mothering: Keeping mothers and babies together” from the 16th – 20th October, 2010. The announcement released by WABA Secretariat says the Global Breastfeeding Partners Forum (GBP Forum 2010) is to include a partners’ technical forum to be organised with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA). It is the first time WABA is organising a GBP Forum open to participation of the wider network allowing for greater networking among participants and the Core Partner Organisations – ABM, IBFAN, ILCA, LLLI and Wellstart International. The objectives of the WABA 2010 event are:
♥ To foster greater collaboration with WABA’s Core Partners and other participants to plan and advance the common vision and strategic direction of the breastfeeding movement
♥ To share new technical knowledge and programmatic updates in the areas of the expanded BFHI and Maternity Protection.
♥ To celebrate the Innocenti 20 years through creative and other means.
♥ To work towards World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2011
The three day event draws on elements of the WABA Global Forum III event originally planned for Quebec City in June 2010, the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) campaigns past and present, the World Breastfeeding Trends initiative (WBTi) and others.

Farewell Viola Lennon and Kathy Baker

2010-07-05T01:18:00.000-07:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem,
Coordinator, WABA Men's Initiative
It is with deep regret that WABA MWG learnt about the passing away of Viola Lennon and Kathy Baker of La Leche League International. Mother Viola Lennon was Co-Founder of La Leche League International and co-author of the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding passed away on Friday, 22nd January, 2010. Kathy Baker, a certified Lactation Consultant, LLL Leader for more than 30 years and training administrator the LLLI Peer Counsellor programme passed away peacefully on Thursday 27 May, 2010. Members of WABA MWG extend their hearty deep sympathies to the entire families and friends of Viola Lennon and Kathy Baker. May their souls rest in peace!

Breast Milk Advocates Evaluate Global Partnerships In Douala

2010-04-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

By Martin Nkematabong
The national networking group of infant and young child feeding in Cameroon has urged the government to formulate strategies aimed at sustaining breastfeeding during emergencies. The network met at its 6th ordinary general assembly session in Douala neighbourhood of Bonamikano. Some 27 delegates of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations, (FECABPA) operating in the South, Center, Littoral North west and South West regions of Cameroon on Saturday April 24, 2010 converged at the Women Gender Council Counselling Centre in Bonamikano , Bonassama health district in Douala to examine progress made in 2009, through maternal care and infant nutrition programs, to improve on the lives of mothers and children in their respective local communities.
The community health advocates network coordinated by Cameroon Link, an international health NGO in Bonaberi-Douala, also discussed plans to celebrate the 2010 world breastfeeding week, as well as evaluate bilateral cooperation with global partners such as the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).
After an in-depth review of their 2009 activities, both at national and international levels, the conference participants noted that enormous progress is being made to protect mothers and their babies from health crisis, which often result from unhealthy nutrition habits and commercial campaigns.
In his speech, the national coordinator of Cameroon Link, James Achanyi -Fontem, reiterated the fact that human milk is the ideal nourishment for infants' survival, growth and development; that exclusive breastfeeding within the first six months of life stimulates babies' immune systems and protects them from diarrhea and acute respiratory infections -two of the major causes of infant mortality in the developing world, and improves their responses to vaccination. He said in unhygienic conditions, breast milk substitutes carry a high risk of infection and can be fatal in infants.
Mr. Achanyi added that pictures of disasters, including volcanoes, uncontrollable fire outbreaks, earthquakes, tornadoes and tsunamis are ruffling infants around the world, even when they occur on the opposite side of the globe. He said because these catastrophes naturally affect the quality of water, medical care, food, shelter and other basic necessities, breast milk remains a lifesaving intervention for every child. The speaker added that women need permanent and active support in order to guarantee breastfeeding during emergencies.
The Coordinator of WABA Men’s Working Group and Focal Point for IBFAN Cameroon informed members that the 8th Conference of IBFAN Africa has been scheduled in the month of September 2010 in Mauritius Island and that members should start scouting funds for their travel, accommodation and other issues. The theme of the conference has been announced as, “Breastfeeding, Child Survival and the Role of Infant and Young Child Feeding”.
Meantime, WABA also announced some key events following the WABA Steering Committee Meeting held in October 2009 including the Global Breastfeeding Partners’ Meeting (GBPM) from 17th to 20th October 2010 under the theme "Enabling Mothering: Keeping Mothers and Babies together".
The International Coordinator of the World Breastfeeding Week, Julianna Lim Abdullah reported from WABA Secretariat that WBW celebrants in 2009 were from over 170 countries and that more than 500 events took place globally involving more than 800,000 celebrants. The 2009 WBW was described as the greatest outreach event in its history.
The theme/slogan for WBW 2010 decided by the WABA Steering Committee at its October 2009 meeting is “Breastfeeding - Just 10 Steps! The Baby-Friendly Way.” The general assembly session in Douala was full of fruitful exchanges and learning opportunities, as participants listened to three presentations on breastfeeding and kangaroo care, how to consume fruits and a demonstration on the use of female condom. Details on the presentations can be watched on the YouTube at- http://uk.youtube.com/camlink99/ The breastfeeding song loaded on the Cameroon Link YouTube has been watched by over 8.000 viewers.

FECABPA Tient Sa 6e Assemblée Générale Ordinaire

2010-04-27T04:12:00.000-07:00

Par Ossombe Marie Claire,
CASAMAC Ebolowa
COGESID Bonamikano était hôte de la 6e assemblée générale ordinaire de la Fédération des associations camerounaise pour la promotion de l’allaitement maternel le 24 avril 2010 à Bonaberi-Douala. Plus de 20 associations ont pris part aux délibérations sur la coordination de Joséphine Massila de Maleo Santé +, présidente de séance et Ossombe Marie Claire de CASAMAC d’Ebolowa désignée comme rapporteur.
La réunion a commencé avec la prière de remerciement à Dieu qui a protégé les membres pendant leur voyage pour Douala. La présidente de COGESID Bonamikano, Priscille MOUTO, a pris la parole pour souhaiter la bienvenue aux membres de la fédération et quelques observateurs en rappelant l’historique de sa structure crée en 2003.
Priscille MOUTO a fait comprendre que COGESID est affilié à la FECABPA et WABA. Elle n’a pas terminé sa lecture sans évoquer l’objectif de leur mission, qui est d’aider les populations à rentrer à l’origine en faisant pratiquer l’allaitement maternel de manière efficace par les femmes.
Le rapport de la 5e assemblée générale à Yaoundé le 24 janvier 2010 est présenté par NGOUA Jeanne de NOLFOWOP. Dans la présentation, elle rappelle les orientations relatives à la conception des plans d’action de la SMAM 2010. Le thème de la SMAM étant annoncé comme, « 10 Pas ! Une Condition après l’autre sur le chemin des Amis des Bébés »
Au cours de cet entretien, le président de la FECABPA, James Achanyi-Fontem, révèle l’argumentation qu’il faut protéger : promouvoir et soutenir les mères afin de bien allaiter. Il a rappelé les recommandations de l’OMS concernant l’allaitement et le VIH.
Il a conseillé les associations de travailler en collaboration avec les services de district de santé dans leur arrondissement et Département. En travaillant, il faut faire le suivi et évaluation afin d’assurer des actions correctrices, il a ajouté.
Argumentaire
Les établissements de soins de santé jouent un rôle vital dans la mise en place de l’allaitement.
Les Dix Conditions pour le succès de l’allaitement forment un chemin de soutien aux femmes qui leur permet de réaliser leurs intentions d’allaitement et qui guide la formation des professionnels de santé dans le soutien à l’allaitement.
Cette année la Se semaine Mondiale de l’Allaitement Maternel commémore le 20e anniversaire de la Déclaration d’Innocenti, qui appelait à la mise en œuvre des Dix Conditions dans toutes les maternités.
Pendant ces 20 années, plus de 20 000 maternités, environ 28% de toutes les maternités au monde, ont pleinement mis en œuvre les Dix Conditions, et ont été certifiées par l’Initiative Hôpitaux Amis des Bébés (IHAB).
Pendant cette période, les taux d’allaitement exclusif au sein ont augmenté de façon significative.
Toutefois, la réduction du nombre de programmes IHAB de part le monde, une formation insuffisante, et un moindre respect des Dix Conditions dans des maternités déjà accréditées contribuent à la stagnation ou à la baisse des taux d’allaitement maternel exclusif dans de nombreuses situations.
Il est temps de revoir cette approche et de déterminer la direction à suivre par la suite.
Le président de la FECABPA a présenté le plan d’action de WABA en octobre, la décision d’IBFAN Africa de tenir sa 8e Conférence régionale à l’Ile Maurice en septembre 2010. Il n’a pas oublié de signaler que le Cameroun a été félicité par IBFAN Africa pour la mise en pratique de l’allaitement durant les 6 premiers mois de vie par les femmes.
Au cours de la dernière réunion, tous les groupes n’ont pas mis en pratique les activités énumérées. Il était recommandé aux associations de produire les rapports de leurs activités avec les photos afin de prouver leurs existences et compétences.
M. James Achanyi-Fontem a remarqué que la FECABPA n’était pas seulement pour parler des problèmes financières chaque fois, mais aussi d’éduquer ses membres. C’est pour cela qu’au cours de chaque assisse de la FECABPA, les membres, dorénavant développent des thèmes sur la protection des droits de la mère et l’enfant en relation avec la nutrition infantile.
Les membres ont été incités à être à jour pour les cotisations annuelles. Un compte bancaire est déjà ouvert à Douala pour la collecte des fonds de FECABPA et l’autre sera ouverte à Yaoundé pour faciliter l’exécution des plans d’action dans les régions du centre, sud, est et autres.
Au cours de la 6e assemblée générale ordinaire de FECABPA à Bonamikano (Bonaberi-Douala), les membres ont pris quelques résolutions suivantes :
1.En dehors de la Semaine mondiale de l'allaitement maternel célébrée du 1 au 7 août, les organisations membres de la fédération serait s'impliquer dans les événements sur le calendrier reconnue et prévue par le gouvernement à travers le ministère de la santé publique, y compris la Journée internationale de lutte contre le cancer (le 4 Février), International Journée de la femme (le 8 Mars), la Journée mondiale de la santé (le 7 avril), la Journée Africaine pour la réduction de la mortalité maternelle et néonatale, la Semaine national de la protection de la maternelle et infantile, (en Juin), la Journée internationale de l'enfant africain (le 16 Juin), La Journée mondiale de la population (le 11 juillet), la Journée mondiale de la femme rurale (le 16 Octobre), Journée internationale pour l'élimination de la violence contre les femmes (le 25 Novembre) et la Semaine National et Journée mondiale du sida (du 1 - 7 Décembre) de chaque année.
2.Un thème sera choisi pour exposé et échanges pendant les sessions ordinaires prévues sur le calendrier de la fédération chaque trois mois.
3.Les organisations membres doivent être à jour dans le paiement de leurs cotisations annuelles le 15 Juin chaque année, afin d’être qualifié à participer aux réunions d'échanges ou bénéficier d'une formation de renforcement des capacités, ou des subventions de la fédération. Seuls les associations actifs et à jour auront accès aux informations sur le compte de la fédération.
4. Les associations-membres inactifs du conseil d'administration seront remplacés une fois qu'il est porté à la connaissance des participants lors des assemblées générales.
5. Il a été convenu que les membres résidant à Yaoundé et les villes voisines des régions du centre, Est et Sud doivent ouvrir un compte bancaire de la Fédération, tandis que le groupe de Douala gère un compte bancaire similaire pour les activités couvrant les régions du Littoral, Sud-ouest, Ouest et Nord ouest. Cette décentralisation permettra à une forte sensibilisation en faveur des nourrissons sur les droits des mères allaitantes. Le numéro du compte bancaire de la FECABPA au Crédit Communautaire d'Afrique à Douala est 27-2707367-001-1.
6. Il a finalement été convenu que le samedi 17 Juillet 2010, AFFE au Pont So’o sur la route de Mbalmayo – Ebolowa sera l'hôte de toutes les organisations membres de FECABPA avant le lancement officiel de la Semaine de l'allaitement maternel au Cameroun le 1er août par le ministre de la santé publique.
7. Les membres de la FECABPA ont sollicité que le lancement de la SMAM 2010 soit réalisé à Douala dans la région du littoral au Cameroun.
8.Les associations de santé doivent faire connaitre leurs actions sur le terrain en créant le blog sur site d’Internet. Ceci encourage la visibilité des actions de la FECABPA et les associations affiliées à son réseau national et international.
9.L’Assemblée Générale a convenue qu’il est nécessaire que les membres de la FECABPA s’instruisent sur l’utilisation de l’outil informatique, pour permettre les échanges régulières.
Les participants à la 6e Assemblée générale ordinaire de la Fédération des Associations promotion de l'allaitement au Cameroun, en abrégé (FECABPA) étaient les suivantes : COGESID Bonamikano, COGESID Mambanda, Maleo Santé Plus, NOLFOWOP, Cameroon Link, Vine Yard Cameroon, ASSF de Ngwele, AFFE Mbalmayo, MUTSAN, Fine Forest Foundation Cameroun CASAMAC d’Ebolowa et CAFOW. Les représentants la CMA de Bonamikano, de la Foundation Mbororo de Bonaberi et AVIS ont participés comme observateurs. Les représentantes de CASAMAC et CAFOW ont affilié leurs associations à la FECABPA par le paiement des frais d’adhésion de CFA 10.000 chacune.

Exposé sur l’allaitement et la méthode Kangaroo
Par Louis Amagnia Ndema de Maleo Santé +,

Pour donner un grand avantage à la santé du bébé, l’allaitement maternel associé à la méthode Kangourou doit être fait. La méthode kangourou encourage l’attachement du bébé à sa mère et le père car l’enfant est peau à peau devant et non dernière.
Il faut savoir que la chaleur des seins de la mère réconforte et rassure le bébé. En cette position, la mère est obligée de s’occuper de l’enfant parce que ça favorise la montée laiteuse et freine aussi la survenue des crevasses.
Le président de la FECABPA a demandé aux hommes de porter aussi leurs bébés pour encourager les liens et l’attachement comme les mères. C’est aussi un moyen d’aider la mère pour la permettre de se reposer après l’accouchement. Les mères doivent convaincre leurs partenaires à les aider.

Quand prendre les Fruits?
Par Yvonne BEKENY de Cameroon Link

Quand prendre les fruits ? Elle a instruit les membres de la FECABPA à éduquer les populations à manger les fruits avant les repas et non après, pour faciliter une bonne digestion. Il est même conseillé de prendre les fruits sans autre aliments pour évité les problèmes liés aux yeux (la cécité) ou la chute de cheveux.
Il faut encourager les populations à prendre des fruits frais et non les jus artificiels. Les fruits frais possèdent les micros éléments importantes pour la bonne santé. Consommons les fruits de qualité et non ceux que nous trouvons sur la route exposés àla chaleur et au soleil.
Les fruits préparés perdent leurs nutriments et leur enzyme. Consommez les fruits seul au bon moment parce qu’il permet la compensation enzymatique. Pendant qu’on travaille il est conseillé de prendre de l’eau tiède et non glacé pour l’élimination des toxines qui sort dans le corps. L’eau glacé durci les graisses et donne les maladies.
Le dernier exposé était sur l’utilisation des condoms féminine par MAGOUTOU Jacqueline Chi de CAFOW. Voir la démonstration sur le youtube de Cameroon Link -
http://uk.youtube.com/camlink99/

Nestle challenged over health claims

2010-04-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem,
Coordinator, IBFAN Cameroon Group
Nestle has been challenged over health claims which tell mothers that its baby milk will 'protect' their babies. Nestle Annual Shareholder Meeting took place on 15th April 2010 at the Palais de Beaulieu, Lausanne, Switzerland.
According to Patti Rundall of Baby Milk Action UK, who attended the meeting, it was probably one of the most dramatic Shareholder meetings that she could remember - though the time that the Tom Butler, the Bishop of Leicester in 1993 challenged them comes a close second.
The brilliant Greenpeace stunt certainly lifted their spirits and caused a major headache to Nestle. It started with a horrendous drilling sound that almost blocked out Peter Brabeck's speech during the session. Pat Venditti of Greenpeace was sitting in front of Patti Rundall who tapped him and asked: "Is this Greenpeace?" and Pat answered, "Maybe". Then sawdust started to trickle down from the ceiling, thousands of leaflets followed by two absailers with huge banner. Fantastic!
As Greenpeace activists cut through the ceiling and absailed into Shareholder Meeting with huge banners and leaflets, Nestlé was held to account for its exploitation of rainforests, for its spying activities and for its failure to abide by baby food marketing standards adopted by the World Health Assembly.
Patti Rundall OBE, Policy Director at Baby Milk Action, picked up on the Chairman, Peter Brabeck's remarks that Nestle considers regulations to be much less important than principles and core values and appealed for shareholders to help in holding management to account for the harm it continues to cause to breastfeeding and infant health, contributing as it does to the needless death and suffering of babies around the world.
She highlighted the deception of the strategy that had been on display at the shareholder meeting the previous year: logos on formula labels claiming the product will 'protect' babies. It is undisputed that babies fed on formula are more likely to become sick than breastfed babies and, in conditions of poverty, more likely to die.
She also challenged Nestle's policy on sponsorship which targets mothers, health workers and children - for example, TV shows in Egypt, baby clubs in the Philippines, school education schemes in India, Health Conference Street banners in Cameroon, websites, medical seminars etc - schemes which are in many instances in violation of World Health Assembly Resolutions and national legislation.
Nestlé Chair, Mr. Peter Brabeck-Letmathé, said that because Ms. Rundall did not trust him, Paul Bulcke, CEO and Richard Laube, Head of Nestle Nutrition should respond in detail. Richard Laube defended the 'protect' logo and admitted the practice was being used in 120 countries on cereals and formula, showing it to be a global strategy. He indicated the marketing practice had been going on for some years and will continue, dismissing the suggestion that it was harmful or a violation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. For more information, click on the following links - www.babymilkaction.org www.ibfan.org www.babyfeedinglawgroup.org.uk

Expanded Global Breastfeeding Partners’ Meeting (GBPM)

2010-04-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

From 17 – 19 October 2010 at Bayview Beach Resort in Penang, Malaysia
A wider network allowing for greater networking among WABA participants
and the Core Partner organisations – ABM, IBFAN, ILCA, LLLI and Wellstart International will be revisiting and celebrating Innocenti 20 years, under the theme “Enabling Mothering: Keeping mothers and babies together” from the 16th – 19th October,2010.
The announcement was released by WABA Co-Directors, Susan Siew and Sarah Amin. The Global Breastfeeding Partners Meeting (GBPM 2010)will include a partners’ technical forum to be organised with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation(SIDA).
It is the first time WABA is organising an expanded GBPM open to participation of the wider network allowing for greater networking among participants and the Core Partner Organisations – ABM, IBFAN, ILCA, LLLI and Wellstart International.
In line with the 20th anniversary of the Innocenti Declaration, the event will open with a celebration of 20 years of action and achievements around the Innocenti as well as reviewing the gaps and areas still needing attention and a strategic response.
The two-day technical meeting/forum on the topic “Enabling Mothering: Keeping Mothers and Babies together,” focusing on the expanded BFHI and Maternity Protection and support for working women will be followed by a business meeting of the Core Partners on the 20th October 2010. This last day event will be by invitation only.
The objectives of the WABA 2010 event are:
♥ To foster greater collaboration with WABA’s Core Partners and other participants to plan and advance the common vision and strategic direction of the breastfeeding movement
♥ To share new technical knowledge and programmatic updates in the areas of the expanded BFHI and Maternity Protection
♥ To celebrate the Innocenti 20 years through creative and other means
♥ To work towards World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2011
The three day event draws on elements of the WABA Global Forum III event originally planned for Quebec City in June 2010, the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) campaigns past and present, the World Breastfeeding Trends initiative (WBTi) and others.
Participants will have plenary and workshop sessions as well as exhibition and other open spaces for the creative arts and celebration!
All WABA friends will take advantage of the space to share their work, resources and creativity. WABA`Co-Directors, Susan and Sarah, are looking at the event as a mother-father/family friendly event!

CRC Confirms Importance of Breastfeeding as Human Right

2010-02-13T02:52:00.000-08:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem,
Coordinator, WABA Men’s Initiative
IBFAN’s Human Rights Intern of Child Rights Committee, Ina Verzivolli, described the last CRC session in January 2010 as a great success due to the big impact that IBFAN reports had on the issues that were discussed in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ina Verzivolli added that the session was a great success in terms of promoting breastfeeding as a human right in a summarized results sheet of the CRC session published last February 12. She lauded the work of IBFAN and praised the commitment of members. It is now left for the recommendations to be transformed in action for the continued struggle to protect and promote breastfeeding world wide. The summary report was delivered as follows:

The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) confirms the importance of Breastfeeding as a Human Right.

January 2010
The Committee on the Rights of the Child has recommended to almost all the countries reviewed during its last session (Session 53, January 2010), to protect and promote breastfeeding as a fundamental right of the child. These recommendations were the consequence of reports submitted to the Committee by National IBFAN Groups on the situation of breastfeeding in their countries. IBFAN considers this a great achievement in relation to its mission of upholding breastfeeding rights for children and mothers all around the world.
The 53rd session of the Committee of on the Rights of the Child, took place in Geneva in January 2010. Eight countries were reviewed on their efforts to implement the Convention of the Rights of the Child: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mongolia, Norway, Paraguay and Tajikistan. In almost all reviews, breastfeeding was on the top list of health-related issues.
IBFAN groups from six of the countries under review had submitted reports about the situation of breastfeeding in their countries. These reports highlight the main problems in relation to infant and young child nutrition, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, maternity protection at work and the situation of maternal health.
The Committee published its recommendations to the national governments at the end of the review process. In six out of eight countries it referred to breastfeeding issues, recommending the governments to take specific measures in this regard. Almost every recommendation in the area of breastfeeding relied on the information provided to the Committee by IBFAN groups. In the case of Cameroun, the Committee adopted the entire list of recommendations made by the IBFAN Group of this country.
The «concluding observations» of the Committee, which take the form of «recommendations» for future action to the national governments, included the following (for a detailed list by country see the table below):
1.Concern about low rates of exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to 6 months;
2.The importance of the protection of breastfeeding in national laws and the effective implementation of these laws;
3.Adoption and implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes;
4.Promotion of breastfeeding and the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding;
5.allocation of resources for breastfeeding policies and programmes;
6.Promotion of education on child health and nutrition;
7.Improvement of the data collection systems;
8.Need for governments to engage civil society in drawing national breastfeeding policies and action plans.
Since 1997, IBFAN’s efforts in the field of human/child rights have been to call upon governments to fulfil their obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in particular regarding article 24 on the child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health, optimal nutrition, as well as correct and unbiased information on nutrition. Thanks to our constant reporting (more than 150 reports from IBFAN groups worldwide), IBFAN has succeeded in raising the awareness and attention of CRC Committee members.
This is a great success!
However, much work needs to be done to translate these recommendations into reality. The next step for IBFAN Groups, as well as for every actor in civil society that works in the area of infant and child nutrition, is to push their national government while working hand in hand with it to solve problems and find solutions.

FECABPA Holds 5th Ordinary General Assembly in Yaounde

2010-01-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

By Martine Yolande Tsenou,
AFEIMEK Yaoundé
The 5th Ordinary General Meeting of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations, FECABPA, held in Yaoundé on the 23rd January 2010. Attended by some 20 representatives of member organisations of the federation, activities in 2009 were reviewed and discussions centred on the plan of action for 2010.
In the annual orientation speech, the National President of FECABPA, James Achanyi-Fontem, started by wishing all a “Happy and Prosperous New Year 2010”, adding that since the creation of the Cameroon national nutrition networking exchange coalition for the promotion of infant and young child feeding on the 14th September 2007, the vision of the organisation has remained the same.
He recalled to members of FECABPA that the vision is to protect, promote and support mothers to breastfeed their babies and feed infants adequately as a right to food, affection and tenderness as the guarantee for good health and well being.
He invited FECABPA members to continue to use the different techniques and strategies taught them during the training at Obala in 2008 for social mobilisation within the context of the expansion of recommendations of the World Health Assembly, World Health Organisation and UNICEF. He announced that WHO published new HIV recommendations to improve health, reduce infections and save lives during the last World AIDS Day 2009. He is the role of health associations to inform communities of the new recommendations published on a good number of health web sites already.
The National President of FECABPA, James Achanyi-Fontem, talked about how to design local action plans within the context of pertinent declarations of the United Nations Organisation and the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals. He invited all organisations to work in close collaboration with health districts in the regions starting from their health areas of locations.
He revealed that the theme for the World Breastfeeding Week 2010 is centred on the ten conditions for successful breastfeeding and that this is visible through the 15 key indicators of the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative, WBTi that is considered to facilitate the closure of gaps where little is done in any given country.
Zimbabwe and Cameroon benefitted from the WBTi training in 2009, and the role of those who received the training is to transfer the monitoring and evaluation techniques to other organisations and their colleagues in their countries, who were not opportune.
All trainers in Cameroon agreed that regular monitoring and evaluation could help to identify gaps and close them during planned activities. Speaking on international network planned activities, the National President of FECABPA who doubles as the Coordinator of WABA Men’s Working Group and Focal Point for IBFAN Cameroon informed members that the 8th Conference of IBFAN Africa has been scheduled in the month of September 2010 in Mauritius Island and that members should start scouting funds for their travel, accommodation and meals. The theme of the conference has been announced as, “Breastfeeding, Child Survival and the Role of Infant and Young Child Feeding”.
The Coordinator of Men’s Initiative made it known that Sarah Amin and Susan Siew, who are WABA Co-Directors have also announced some key events following the WABA Steering Committee Meeting held in October 2009. These events have been slated towards the end of 2010, starting with WABA Global Breastfeeding Partners’ Meeting (GBPM) from 17th to 19th October 2010 and the theme for the meeting is "Enabling Mothering: Keeping Mothers and Babies together". The GBPM proper takes place on the 20th October 2010. This will be followed by WABA Steering Committee Meeting from 22nd to 24th October 2010.
On the other hand, the International Coordinator of the World Breastfeeding Week, Julianna Lim Abdullah reported from WABA Secretariat that WBW celebrants in 2009 were from over 170 countries and that more than 500 events took place globally involving more than 800,000 celebrants. The 2009 WBW was described as the greatest outreach event in its history.
With this, Julianna Lim said, WABA is pleased to announce the theme/slogan for WBW 2010 which was decided by the WABA Steering Committee at its October 2009 meeting. The Slogan for WBW 2010 is “Breastfeeding - Just 10 Steps! The Baby-Friendly Way.”
The Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, led by Miriam Labbok was appointed Key Writer for the WBW 2010 Calendar Announcement and Action Folder. Miriam Labbok and her team will work with the WABA Health Care Practices Task Force, Mother Support Task Force and BFHI Working Group.
In an earlier welcome address by the Secretary General of FECABPA, Suzanne Messe, she made a run down of achievements in a balance sheet that showed that the promotion, protection and support of lactating mothers in Cameroon was on a good foot and that exclusive breastfeeding rate for the first six months is on the increase, especially as member organisations now work regularly to protect rights of mothers and babies to adequate nutrition.
ASSF Bonaberi and NOLFOWOP Yaoundé hosted the two ordinary sessions of March 24 and July 9 respectively in 2009. The sessions focused attention on the best strategies to promote mothers’ and fathers’ support groups with the introduction of the Men’s Initiative as an integral part of infant and young child feeding in Cameroon.
Suzanne Messe lauded the technical and material support from WABA, IBFAN, UNICEF and the Ministry of Public health which led to the expansion of activities within communities. The infant and young child feeding groups benefited from international collaboration during the working visits of Dr. Neal Rosenburg and Professor Donna Taliaferro of Washington Nursing College, who researched on HIV stigmatisation amongst health workers in Cameroon. Tobias Zick of the German Neon Magazine visited Cameroon to support Cameroon Link’s action for prevention of violations of the international and national code on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes within health facilities.
In November 2009, Cameroon Link facilitated the organisation of the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative training for Cameroon in Douala by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN Africa) consultant, Pauline Kisanga. During the ordinary general meeting of FECABPA in Yaoundé, members took the following resolutions that:
1. Apart from the World Breastfeeding Week celebrated from the 1st – 7th August, the federation’s member organisations would get involve in other calendar events recognised and planned by the government through the ministry of public health, including International Day to fight against cancer on 4th February, International Women’s Day on 8th March, World Health Day on 7th April, African Day for the Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal mortality, Mother and Infant Health and Nutrition Action week in June, International Day of the African Child on 16th June, World Population Day on 11th July, World Food day on 16th October, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25th November and the National and World AIDS Week from 1st – 7th December each year.
2. A theme will be selected for an expose and learning exchange each time the federation holds a quarterly planned ordinary session within the year.
3. Member organisations should be up to date in the payment of their annual dues by June 15 each year to qualify for participation in exchange meetings or benefit from any capacity building training or subventions from the federation. Only active up-to-date members will have access to information on the federation’s account.
4. Inactive members of the Administrative Board would be replaced once it is brought to the knowledge of participants during general meetings. Long term vacancies of some board members were blamed for the non execution of some planned activities of FECABPA.
5. It was agreed that members residing in Yaoundé and neighbouring cities or regions will open and manage a bank account of the Federation, while the group in Douala will run a similar bank account for acceleration of activities covering the Littoral, South West, West regions. It was observed that this decentralisation will help in outreach advocacy in favour of infants and mothers’ rights. The bank account number of FECABPA at Credit Communautaire d’Afrique in Douala is 27-2707367-001-1.
6. It was finally agreed that the Saturday, 24th April 2009 Ordinary General Meeting will be hosted by the Women’s Gender Council (COGESID) Bonamikano and that on Saturday, 17th July 2009, AFFE Mbalmayo will host all member organisations of FECABPA ahead of the joint national launching of the World Breastfeeding Week in Cameroon on the 1st August by the Minister of Public Health.
Participants at the 5th Ordinary General Assembly of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations, FECABPA, came from COGESID Bonamikano, Maleo Santé Plus, NOLFOWOP, Cameroon Link, Vine Yard Movement, Alternative Santé, AFFE Mbalmayo, Ahead Biyem Assi, AFEIMEK, Fine Forest Foundation Cameroon and ASSOCASFIASAR Yaoundé.
Fine Forest Foundation Cameroon and ASSOCASFIASAR (Midwives & Nurses Association) representatives attended the national meeting for their first time and decided to be affiliated to the federation by paying their dues.

UNFPA SUPPORTS CAMLINK CODE MONITORING

2009-12-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem
Coordinator,IBFAN Cameroon
Authorities of the United Nation Fund for Population Activities, UNFPA, have drawn the attention of the Ministry of Public Health in Cameroon to the importance and place monitoring of the International Code on the marketing of breastmilk substitute in the regulation and promotion of child survival.
The information filtered from a working session organised by the Minister of Public Health, Andre Mama Fouda, on Thursday, 1oth December 2009 in Yaounde with the head of the communication service of the ministry and a senior journalist of Cameroon Tribune.
The UNFPA drew the attention of the minister to an article on activities organised by Cameroon Link (CAMLINK) following the training of trainers’ course by IBFAN Africa in Douala on the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative. The minister was informed that code monitoring was an alert system that keeps formula producers from health facilities, thereby giving the opportunity to breastfeeding mothers to remain attached to World Health Assembly regulations and recommendations by the World Health Organisation. Cameroon Tribune has earlier published a news investigation on company violations of the Cameroon national code issued as law on the 1st December 2005.
A formula production company during that period sponsored a workshop of paediatricians in Limbe and used the trade mark of Bledina to advertise the workshop in violation of articles of the international and national code on the promotion and marketing of breastmilk substitutes in the country.
The same company consolidated its violation with an advertorial in the Eden Newspaper of Wednesday, 9th December 9 – Monday, 14th December 2009. Cameroon Link had during the WBTi training called on the government to create a regulatory committee with the appointment of a national coordinator to check such lapses throughout the country.
In reaction to the flagrant violations world wide through scientific meetings and workshops, a UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative statement on formula company-funded study days was issued in the United Kingdom.
UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative had recently received several enquires regarding study days sponsored by formula milk industries. These days range from holding study days nutrition company institutes serving as bridges to reach health staff caring for babies within public and private.
The Baby Friendly Initiative requires that all health-care facilities seeking Baby Friendly accreditation adhere to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Information on formula milks provided to health professionals in order to allow them to support mothers who do not breastfeed, should be scientific, factual and free from promotion.
Health professionals are the ideal conduit for promoting formula milk. They engender public trust and respect and have easy access to virtually all new mothers and babies. The ‘halo effect’ of having mothers associate the company brand with a health professional is highly valued. However, for this to happen, the companies need access to those health professionals. As recently, and in the last 10 years before the publication of the code, company representatives had free access to many health-care premises and they induced health professionals to attend their talks with hospitality and free materials.
The Cameroon Code forbids any penetration of health facilities by company delegates to advertise their brand and donate materials or organise meetings. The companies have now opted the indirect version of sponsoring activities of health professionals in very attractive tourism facilities as an incentive.
With increased support for breastfeeding in the health services, health professionals have gradually become much more aware of the real purpose of this ‘generosity’ and its negative effect on breastfeeding and efforts to support informed choice. Subsequently, much of this easy access to health professionals still has to be stopped in countries like Cameroon.
Sponsored study days are a highly effective mechanism for circumventing workplace controls on access by company representatives and so gaining direct access to health professionals. The study days no longer directly focus on breast and bottle feeding, which would only arouse suspicion, but rather are specialist in nature, focusing on, for example, allergy or growth, thus reassuring prospective participants of their legitimacy. Participants are asked to register for the study day, so providing the company with contact details for future promotional opportunities. At the event itself there are opportunities for introductions, closing statements, odd lectures by company representatives and promotional materials that can be given to everyone who attends. The result of this is health professionals who are highly aware of the company’s brand and product, informed of the product’s key selling points, in possession of company materials and possibly well disposed to the company providing them with ‘free’ education. If any of this is then passed on to parents, the company’s outlay can be justified to shareholders as being designed to increase profits.
The Baby Friendly Initiative standards do not expressly prohibit health professionals’ attendance at formula company study days. However, attendance is strongly discouraged. Any health professional considering attending such a day should ask themselves whether attendance is really necessary for their education, whether it is compatible with their Code of Conduct and responsibilities to implement best practice and what effect their attendance could have on the families they serve. For more information visit the Code Monitoring page at http://cameroonlink.info

MWG Happy New Year 2010 Greetings

2009-12-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2010 Greetings!
WABA Men’s Working Group would like to wish you and your families a Happy and Healthy New Year 2010.
There is no time like now to honour the men and boys in your life, especially those who support mothers. We thank you for your commitment and support in 2009 and hope that you will continue to join WABA Men’s Working Group in our efforts to ensure that men live longer, healthier and happier lives in 2010 and beyond, while supporting breastfeeding mothers around the world.
Wishing you a Beautiful Season and a New Year of Peace and Happiness.

WABA Men’s Working Group

Cameroon Gets WBTi Orientation Training

2009-11-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

By Doualla Etongo Priscille
Cameroon Link Group
14 trainers have been oriented on the new WBTi in Cameroon. The orientation training preparation team received IBFAN Africa Consultant and Director of UniNutri Services, Pauline Kisanga, from Swaziland at the Douala International Airport on the 10th November at 19h30 from a timely South Africa Airlines Flight.
Pauline Kisanga, IBFAN Consultant designated as the principal facilitator and James Achanyi-Fontem, National Coordinator of IBFAN Cameroon Link Group acted as the country facilitator of the trainer of trainers WBTi workshop. Participants came from the government, public and private key nutrition NGO advocacy organisations. The selection of participants considered gender aspects with target groups involving men, women and youths in the learning process.
Training Package
The training package presentations on Power Point tackled all the relevant issues related to the starting of a WBTi in a country and the content included the following:
• The Global Strategy and objectives of the workshop
• Status of IYCF in Cameroon and the national perspective
• WBTI – A successful Initiative
• Tracking, Assessing and Monitoring of GSIYCF – South Asia/Africa ExperienceReading Exercise of the Green Book
• Interactive Discussions with Questions and Answers
• How to conduct a national assessment
• Understanding the indicators (1 – 15)
• Work in groups and presentation of work group reports
• Analysis of data, report writing and presentation (exploiting the samples of Asia country reports)
• How to develop recommendations for actions to bridge the gaps
• Work in groups on developing recommendations and presentation of work in groups
• Utilizing WBTi Information
• What is the web action in WBTi
• How to avoid conflict of interest at national level
• Action Plan for Cameroon and Way Forward
• Executive Budget Estimate

Welcome Address
The welcome address on the occasion of the opening of the 2-day orientation training workshop on the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative in Cameroon on the 12th and 13th November 2009 was made by the National Coordinator of Cameroon Link, James Achanyi-Fontem, who doubles as the Focal Point for IBFAN Cameroon Group and the President of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations, FECABPA.
Mr. Achanyi-Fontem said, Cameroon was honoured to have the opportunity to welcome the orientation training workshop on the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) in Douala. He thanked Mrs. Joyce Chanetsa, the Regional Coordinator of IBFAN Africa who included Cameroon on the list of countries to benefit from the orientation training on the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiatiive (WBTi) and Mrs. Pauline Kisanga, Director of UniNutri , IBFAN RC Emeritus for accepting to come to Cameroon to capacitate and share her experiences with the Infant and Young Child Feeding advocates.
Under the guidance of the Ministry of Public Health secondary data was reached for preparation of the workshop using WHO/ UNICEF data and information to analysis the 15 key indicators of Cameroon’s trends so far documented. IBFAN Cameroon Group coordinator acknowledged that the training will assist in the expansion of breastfeeding protection, promotion and support work throughout Cameroon.
Presenting Pauline Kisanga, the former Regional Coordinator of IBFAN Africa, Mr. Achanyi-Fontem described her as an advocate ambassador of breastfeeding of Africa region. She has published several works including, “The Process for Successful Implementation of ILO Maternity Protection Convention 183 of 2000 at National Level: Africa Regional Experience of Step by Step Action” and “The Protection, Support, and Promotion of Breastfeeding in HIV: Policy Guidelines by IBFAN Africa”.
Pauline is special to Cameroon Link, because in her capacity as the former Regional Coordinator of IBFAN Africa and with the support of Baby Milk Action UK, Cameroon was co-opted and affiliated into the Anglophone and Lusophone IBFAN Africa Group in 2000. With her coaching and constant support, Cameroon Link grew from strength to strength and was recipient of the IBFAN Africa distinction in 2007 in Maputo, Mozambique during the 7th Regional Conference for its commitment and engaging support for the protection and promotion of breastfeeding in the continent as a whole and Cameroon in particular.
Cameroon Link today pilots the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations, FECABPA, and the Men’s Initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, WABA, while remaining the Focal Point for the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN Africa) in the country. At Cameroon Link, the slogan is, “Babies can’t wait”. Breastfeeding is a baby’s right and it should be on demand and exclusive for the first six months after delivery with complimentary feeding and continued breastfeeding up to 24 months and beyond. Cameroon Link remains more committed than before, especially as the 23rd November 2009 makes its 20th Anniversary.
This means that Cameroon Link celebrates its 20th anniversary with the new initiative, “The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi).” The data and information presented during the WBTi orientation training workshop were based on information collected from the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) in Cameroon, statistics from the ministry of public health, ministry of planning, programming and territorial development in Yaoundé, WHO, UNICEF and ILO sources.
It should be noted that comprehensive survey results are published in the DHS final reports approximately 8 – 12 months after the completion of fieldwork while standard reports are approximately 200 pages in length and include topics on household and respondent characteristics, fertility and family planning, maternal and child health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS.
The department for health promotion in the ministry of public health contributed through researched data as the policy and decision making channel within the frame work of its partnership with Cameroon Link Group that reports regularly on all its activities.
Cameroon’s key indicators collection is on-going for revision and publication in April 2010 after the survey on the rights of the child to food. As Cameroon joins the WBTi, it is observed by IBFAN Cameroon Link that there is net progress made already as it scores well in 12 of the 15 key indicator areas. The WBTi training brought to light the gaps and recommendations which will be published in the final report by December 15.

WBTI Training
During the WBTi orientation training workshop organized in Douala by the IBFAN Cameroon Focal Point with the support of IBFAN Africa regional office, it was observed that efforts have been made in the area of Infant and Young Child Feeding with the support of UNICEF. Though there is a net progress in the area of exclusive breastfeeding, statistics have to be collected regularly for up dates starting from the health facilities.

GLOBAL STRATEGY ON IYCF
After the presentation of secondary data in Cameroon during the training, IBFAN Africa consultant, Pauline Kisanga spoke about the evolution of the GSIYCF since 2000, emphasizing on the fact that all countries that endorsed the WHO/WHA recommendations were requested to implement the strategy as national policy.
The GSIYCF was put in place to promote good practices and create supportive environment for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding with complimentary feeding thereafter up to 24 months and beyond.
The strategy is based on the Innocenti declaration adopted in 1990 during an international meeting in Italy. One of the recommendations is that countries should put in place a national breastfeeding committee with the appointment of a national coordinator by the ministry of health.
With the frame work of the strategy, the ten steps to successfully breastfeeding is implemented, the international code is implemented, mothers and children are protected. The global strategy added more targets to the innocent declaration.
The Director of UniNutri Services insisted on the fact that exclusive breastfeeding should be recommended to mothers with complimentary feeding after six months to prevent malnutrition. Countries throughout the world are adopting national legislation she emphasized, adding that when WHO and the world Health Assembly (WHA) improves on policies, countries are required to also up grade their national policy with the involvement of all stake holders. According to the IBFAN Africa consultant, nutrition promotion goes with breastfeeding, which occupies 60 per cent on the agenda. For this reason, the government should create a national breastfeeding committee and appoint a national coordinator as recommended by the WHA and WHO.

IYCF Problems
• Many governments believe that breastfeeding is natural and that mothers should automatically breastfeed their children. This is a wrong perception of the issue, because even when the act is natural, the mothers have to be supported. In most cases, it is the man who purchases formula for the baby and not the mother. Fathers should be educated as well on the advantages of breastmilk through the creation of support groups throughout the country.
• Breastfeeding and HIV are not understood. Policy makers need to be informed on the advantages of breastfeeding and WHO recommendation. Data needs to be collected, because it is through the analysis of the data that decisions are made during discussion at meetings.
• Since all countries have endorsed the WHA/WHO policies and resolutions, countries just simply need to implement them, especially as malnutrition of infants has been rated as a public health concern.

What is WBTi ?
The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) started in Asia. Before the WBTi, countries were using the WHO IYCF monitoring and evaluation tool and the GLOPAR WABA tool. The new WBTi, is a combination of the WHO and GLOPAR tools to fill gaps which were identified in the previous tools. Many countries are already using the WBTi because it is a simple tool to track progress on the implementation of the Global Strategy. It helps for comparing progress in the different countries, considering the fact that all countries have been requested to monitor the progress of child survival regularly.
The trainer of trainers session organised in Cameroon by the regional coordination of the International Baby Food Action network (IBFAN Africa) is expected to help the government to discover gaps in health investment programme activities.
This will promote best practices; improve on child survival and maternal survival. The WHO tool was simplified by combining GLOPAR from WABA to build the WBTi tool. It works by collecting secondary data and analysing it to come out with the trends.
After the analysis of the data, trends are then used for making decisions to fill the gaps. This helps countries and governments to fill gaps in health investment, programmes and activities. WBTi brings people together to discuss results, since the trends demonstrate achievements and gaps to improve on Infant and Young child feeding.

Breastfeeding and HIV
WHO and WHA recommend AFASS. AFASS stands for the following:
A = Accessibility
F= Feasibilty
A= Affordibilty
S= Sustainability
S= Safety
The above is used for counselling mothers to make well informed choices as far as the nutrition of their children is concerned.
WORK IN GROUPS
The work in groups aimed at verifying the 15 IYCF key indicators used for evaluating countries with the WBTi tool. Within this frame work, the trainers were separated in three different groups and the indicators shared amongst for verification and scoring of Cameroon. Cameroon scored 81/150 by WHO rating analysis standards and this is equivalent to 54 per cent using WBTi tool.

Core Persons & Partners
The WBTi trainers identified core persons and partners who will pilot the initiative in Cameroon and by consensus vote, it was decided that IBFAN Cameroon should coordinate WBTi in Cameroon under the supervision of its national coordinator as team leader.
The WBTi Cameroon core persons identified are: James Achanyi-Fontem (Cameroon Link), Okala Georges (MOH), Tata Japhet (MOH), Mibe Samuel(MOH), Yvonne Bekeny (IBFAN Cam), Florine Nseumi (IBFAN Cam), Annette Efeti (IBFAN Cam)
The WBTI Partners are: WHO, UNICEF, WABA, IBFAN, Plan International, Helen Keller Foundation, Cameroon Link, ACTHU, CAMNAFAW, Fine Forest Foundation, Vine Yard Cameroon, COGESID and Maleo Sante Plus.
Before closing the training of trainers session in Douala, a WBTi action plan with tasks to be accomplished covering the period from November 2009 to March 2010 was put in place. The tasks included preparing a national work plan for collection of WBTi information and writing of a report that will highlight all the 15 indicators used for monitoring and evaluation.
The report needs to be presented to the government (Ministry of Public Health) and a wider audience for validation by November 30. The final WBTi Report on Cameroon will be communicated to IBFAN Africa Regional Coordination by December 15 and the regional coordination of IBFAN Africa will channel will share the report with others in Africa before channelling to IBFAN Asia by December 15 ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

WABA’s GBPM Farewell Party 2008

2009-09-03T03:08:00.000-07:00

BUILDING BRIDGES DURING RELAXATION
By Lakshmi Menon
WABA organised a farewell party for all GBPM participants on the last day of the meeting at WABA office. Participants were ferried by bus to WABA office in torrential rain, which had erupted suddenly. Fortunately the strongly erected shamiana in the house compound, provided a good shield against the rain. Guests, including friends and well wishers of WABA, were shown around the office and invited to have the delicious Penang food. We were also treated to Penang’s famous hawker food, prepared by efficient chefs while we waited; some worth mentioning included, unforgettable Laksa (a rather strong noodle soup with fish and prawn paste, onions and pineapple pieces), Char Koey Teao (flat rice noodles fried with shrimps, chicken, eggs, greens and cockles), Ice Kachang (a fabulous dessert with a mix of ice shavings, syrups, beans, nuts, jelly topped with ice cream).
A huge cake in the shape of number 80 to mark Michael Latham’s 80th birthday was brought out to be cut by him. The felicitation of Michael for his contribution to WABA and to the breastfeeding movement touched us all, and quite a few of us were also in awe of Michael’s achievements. And so there was more food, rich food!!! The celebrations continued at another level – the cultural level, even as people could not resist the irresistible food.
Earlier in the day, Audrey Naylor had called for a cultural event “WABA has Talent”.
None of us could have imagined during the past few hectic days of fierce discussions, that there was so much hidden talent amongst us. What we witnessed made us wonder at the creativity and talent which was displayed, which also had us laughing, with many of us in splits.
Clowning around: Two clowns emerged on the scene complete with painted smiles and red noses. Audrey and Sarah hopped about and frisked around making people laugh (and also cry, when tears poured out during hysterical laughter). They handed out colourful waving hands (made of cardboard) so we could “aye” or “nay” when called upon for our opinion of a particular performance.
Judging talent: Judges were appointed to judge the talented. Felicity, Mahmuda Fazal, Nand and Nozipo were nominated judges. Each one gave her/his opinion after each presentation and asked the opinion of the audience. The audience was not in the least reticent. They lustily cheered every actor and waved the colourful hands heartily after every performance.
Songs by little ones and oldies: First, Julianna’s children -10-year-old Shanelle and 7-year-old Shane sang a charming duet. Dr Raj Anand shared his experience with his young patients in his clinic and how he sang to them to dispel their fears and doubts.
The Gender-sensitive Play: Amal and Lakshmi organised a 3-act play on gender sensitiveness. The first scene was at the gynecologist’s when the loving husband and timid wife (played by Marcos Arana and Sita Letchumi) visited a gynecologist (played by Patti Rundal -) for a routine check up. The Dr spoke to the husband about his wife’s condition as if she did not exist. The wife’s attempts to clarify her doubts were brushed away by the solicitous husband who felt she would not understand what the doctor said. The second scene was in the home of a dominating man (played by Dr Prashant Gangal) and his not so timid wife (played by Ali McLaine). The husband was telling his pregnant wife to stop working and take care of their little son and the home, and of course the new born when it arrived. The woman refused to quit her job and said she would be able to cope if he gave up hanging out with his friends or playing cricket on weekends and spent more time in the house, sharing housework and childcare. The third scene was in the factory, where a worker was telling her boss that she was pregnant and wanted information about her maternity entitlements. The boss pointed out that at the time of hiring; she had said she would not be having children. When the worker demanded her rights, the boss offered her two months leave as a favour and instructed her not to inform other workers. The role play was unusual because of reverse roles assumed - Ines Fernandes played the bully boss and James Achanyi took the role of the pregnant female worker (I specify female as even males get pregnant these days). The performance by all actors was simply brilliant.
The Great Canadian Ice Hockey: The Canadian GBPM participants (Betty, Carole, Elaine, Johanna, Lucie & Lucie and Penny) presented us with a game of ice hockey. The two teams were the Canadians representing the Code, WBW and partners such as ILCA, WABA, IBFAN, the Global Strategy against the team representing Multinational companies (MNCs) - Nestle, Gerber, Avent etc. Each player on the MNCs team represented one of these companies. The strategy was to use the key players of those fighting for implementation of the Code and the different WHA resolutions on the side of Canada and the MNCs were all those violating the Code. The referee was meant to be the neutral “United Nations” but there were comments about whether they had been influenced by the multinationals, and finally the refree was selected from a “neutral” country, Egypt. The team used hockey sticks and a puck (a metal disc). The group used hockey terms such as Nestlé getting the first penalty for high sticking and giving the Canadians a penalty shot. The key player for the penalty shot was the IYCF resolution WHA 61.20 and they scored just before the end of the first half. At the beginning of the second half, the MNCs brought in their big guys and we saw "follow-up milks" and "RUTF's" on the ice. The Canadians used their best player "INFACT CANADA" and got a break away to score again and give Canada the win over the multinationals. The game moved at such terrific speed that the spectators were at their wits ended not being able to follow the game. It hardly mattered because it was such fun that we all laughed till we developed a stitch in our sides. It was much later when I tried to find out more about show that I found many of the players themselves had little inkling. Finally managed to get the full details from Carole. How about a WABA Ice Hockey League for the 3rd Global Forum?? Those interested should sign up for the teams and start practising before the final game at Quebec in 2010.
The Drums of Africa: the grand finale was of course the drummers from Africa. James and Nomajoni drummed in accompaniment to the throbbing African music. Fellow Africans, Veronica, Lourdes, Amanda, Joyce and Margaret swung their massive hips to the music and swayed rhythmically. The music was so mesmerizing that it brought everyone to their floor as they all fell under the spell of the music. Who after all could resist such fabulous rhythmic music? Michael Latham, who has his roots in Tanzania, was the first to spring to his feet and he too swayed his slight hips while Felicity joined in the dance. Susan, Ali, and others who were energetically inclined too entered into the fray - by now the dance floor resembled and sounded more like a war zone as the dancers scampered about with whoops of joy. As the night advanced the tempo of the drums increased, so also probably the neighbours’ temper.
We may have been to many such parties in the past, but this one will surely linger in our minds for monthsand years on end. It was so memorable that this time, the GBPM Farewell party had to be documented.

2009 World Breastfeeding Week

2009-08-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

Great Outreach In Cameroon
By James Achanyi-Fontem, E-mail: camlink99@gmail.com
Outreach during the World Breastfeeding Week, WBW, in Cameroon was in millions as the Minister of Public Health, Andre Mama Fouda, invited men, fathers, and communities to support lactating mothers to accomplish their noble task of breastfeeding babies exclusively for the first six months after birth.
For the first time, the launching of the World Breastfeeding Week was launched out of the nation’s capital of Yaoundé, especially as the event in Obala tied with the theme “Breastfeeding – A Vital Emergency Response: Are We Ready?”.
Minister Andre Mama Fouda thanked his colleagues of the government cabinet , representatives of UN Agencies and the Infant and Young Child Feeding NGOs that turned out to support his ministry with their presence during the mass community event in in Obala.
Cameroon was joining the international community for the 18th time to celebrate wbw, the minister observed, and especially as it was another way of supporting government’s policy in matters of mother and child care. The over 400 mothers and first-time mothers of Obala listened attentively to the minister’s advice and cheered as pertinent infringements to breastfeeding were unmasked.
Minister Andre Mama Fouda sent special kudos to the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations, FECABPA, for the many achievements and determination to support fathers, mothers and communities in the promotion of infant and young feeding action in Cameroon.
He lauded the constant financial and material support of UN agencies and international organisations to the Cameroon government for the promotion of mother and child care, and other health programmes. UNICEF Cameroon received special words of thanks for funding the launching event in Obala.
Minister Mama Fouda said, the celebration creates an opportunity to present a balance sheet of the year’s achievements on the path of breastfeeding promotion in Cameroon, and to expand the sensitisation of mothers, first-time mothers, communities and especially health workers on the importance of breastfeeding for the survival of infants.
He echoed that the theme of the celebration this year invites everybody to prepare for emergencies. In the context of Cameroon, efforts are made to supply portable water to communities as a means of avoiding disasters caused by diseases.
The minister told mothers that breastfeeding is indispensable for the growth and well being of the child. Milk and the love of a mother cannot be replaced, he went on. He condemned those who think that it is possible to produce a substance equivalent to breastmilk. Some companies manufacture breastmilk substitute and equate it with breastmilk, Minister Mama Fouda told the large audience present. The minister emphasized, that it is impossible to realize the companies' dreams and breastmilk will remain superior to formula always.Breastmilk is God's gift to humanity.
He testified that their mother breastfed them and they entirely support mothers of today to breastfed their babies exclusively as their mother did. He added that breastmilk is natural and the best for babies because it contains protective elements that cannot be fabricated by the industries.
Formula should be used only in the real cases where the mother would have suffered from an infection and is sick, the minister advised. On attachment, he told mothers in Obala that breastfeeding encourages bonding between the mother and the child. Bonding accelerates growth of the baby, he emphasized.
He revealed that children breastfed never forget their mothers and remain attached even when they become adults. For this reason, mothers should not deprive their children of the above mentioned advantages of breastmilk. While formula needs preparation, breastmilk is ready at all moments. He invited mothers to breastfeed their babies on demand, because the natural milk has no cost.
Addressing teen mothers, the minister said, breastfeeding makes a woman to look more beautiful and their partners, families and communities have to create favourable environment for the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in Cameroon.
During the official launching, members of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations, FECABPA, mounted a giant exhibition in the public ceremony place and Minister Andre Mama Fouda visited the stands and received some up dated WABA information folders, as he was accompanied by his colleagues of the government cabinet and top UN representatives of agencies based in Yaounde, capital of Cameroon.
For more information, click on the following link or copy and paste on your browser- www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org

Speech on 2009 WBW Launching in Cameroon

2009-08-09T02:48:00.000-07:00

Mot du Président de la Fédération des Associations de Soutien à l’Allaitement Maternel au Cameroun, Monsieur James Achanyi-Fontem, à l’occasion du lancement de la SMAM au Cameroun.
Obala, le 6 août 2009

Monsieur le Ministre de la Santé Publique,
Honorables invités
Mesdames, Messieurs,
C’est un honneur pour moi de prendre la parole ici à Obala au nom de la Fédération des Associations de Soutien à l’Allaitement Maternel au Cameroun, en ce jour mémorable à l’occasion de la cérémonie officielle marquant la célébration de la dix huitième Edition de la Semaine Mondiale de l’Allaitement Maternel.
Ce jour nous offre une grande opportunité de mobilisation des populations pour les activités de protection, promotion et soutien de l’Allaitement Maternel.
Excellence, Monsieur le Ministre, notre Fédération a été fondée le 14 septembre 2007 dans le but de soutenir le Ministère de la Santé Publique dans ses missions de promotion, de protection et soutien de l’allaitement maternel auprès des formations sanitaires et des communautés. La vision de FECABPA est de permettre à tous les enfants et leurs mères d’être en bonne santé et de protéger leurs droits.
Monsieur le Ministre de la Santé Publique, il y a deux ans, quatre de nos Associations avaient bénéficié de l’appui de votre Département Ministériel à titre de soutien en matériel. L’année dernière, vous avez permis à 30 de nos membres, de bénéficier d’un renforcement de capacités ici même à OBALA en matière de stratégie de mobilisation, information et éducation des populations. Cette formation nous permet actuellement d’être plus opérationnels et convaincants sur le terrain.
Je voudrais profiter de cette circonstance solennelle, pour vous exprimer notre profonde gratitude pour toutes ces marques d’encouragement à notre endroit.
Permettez moi, Excellence, Monsieur le Ministre, d’exprimer un certain nombre de doléances, qui pourraient rendre notre action beaucoup plus efficace et nous permettre d’atteindre un nombre plus important de personnes dans les communautés du Cameroun.
Il s’agit notamment de :
la mise à notre disposition de matériel éducatif et de mobilisation sociale ;
l’organisation au profit de nos membres, d’autres sessions de formation en allaitement maternel et sur les stratégies de monitoring du code national de commercialisation des substituts du lait maternel signé par le Premier Ministre le 1 er Décembre 2005.
Les formations sur les stratégies de Monitoring du Code National vont accentuer la protection, la promotion et le soutien de l’allaitement maternel; et en même temps amener le Cameroun à se qualifier pour la certification d’un Hôpital Ami des Bébés ou l’initiative d’un Communauté Ami des Bébés par l’OMS/UNICEF. Je suis sûre que le monitoring va aussi augmenter le pourcentage des taux d’allaitement maternel exclusive de 24 % à 35% avant la fin de 2010.
L’encadrement permanent sur le terrain par des équipes de votre département ministériel à titre de supervision ;
La relance de l’appui financier et logistique engagée il y a deux ans ;
His Excellency, after the evaluation of activities of the World Breastfeeding Week in September 2008 by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, WABA, Cameroon Link Health Development NGO thrillingly won the Gold Medal of the Marathon events competition. Some 198 NGOs in 120 countries went in for the competition and Cameroon won the Gold Medal, which I am happy to present to you here officially in Obala.
With this, His Excellency, we plead that the ministry of public health, which you head and UNICEF Cameroon should support the participation of some active Infant and Young Child Feeding organisations in Cameroon to attend and participate in the WABA Global Forum 3 scheduled in Quebec, Canada in June 2010.
His Excellency, the Minister of Public health, FECABPA finally recommends that the government should urgently put in place a National Code Monitoring Committee, that would suggest punitive measures including business closure, suspension of license or financial penalty for damages caused due to illegal market competition by any company violators of the existing national code. FECABPA suggests that sanctions be included as part of the existing Cameroon National Code on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes to strengthen its well formulated articles and encourage effective monitoring strategies that would enforce its application at all levels.
These are the few issues that we happily use this opportunity to call the attention of the government to, during this year’s World Breastfeeding Week 2009.
Excellence, nous vous assurons notre étroite collaboration dans le but d’atteindre ensemble les Objectifs du Millénaire du Développement en ce qui concerne la survie de l’enfant et la santé des mères.
Nous remercions, OMS, UNICEF, WABA, IBFAN, Helen Kelly International, Plan International et tous les autres qui continuent de nous aider dans la promotion de la nutrition infantile au Cameroun.
Je vous remercie pour votre aimable attention.

BREASTFEEDING FATHERS’ SUPPORT IN FINLAND

2009-07-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

By Yvonne Bekeny in Finland
Breastfeeding in general and exclusive breastfeeding in particular has been a natural practice in Finland for several years. The importance of breastfeeding is emphasized by health care staff, and families benefit a lot from this practice because of the welfare services provided by the state in addition to the gender sensitive approaches to child care. A look at two generations of parents in Finland reveals that like in most western countries, breastfeeding was not an issue or “fashioned as being sexy” some 25 years ago. I interviewed parents of two different generations in Finland to learn about how breastfeeding evolved and how fathers supported the mothers who breastfed.
Liisa is 53 years old and breastfed her two grown up children.
“Breastfeeding was not common and was not strongly supported by the health personnel 25 years ago. I breastfed my children because I felt that it was natural and I did that exclusively for six months before introducing liquids and soft food. I had so much milk that I extracted and donated to the hospital because milk banks in Finland generated income for women who gave some of their breastmilk to the hospitals to assist working mothers or others who had problems breastfeeding their babies. Hospitals made it easier by having health personnel go around from home to home to collect the milk for their first food banks. During the periods I breastfed our babies, my husband was totally supportive and helped me with house chores and carrying the baby sometimes so I can rest. He learnt how to change the diapers at night and assist me too with this task. Indeed, it was just a total agreement between my partner and me to have the children breastfed and to do it well”.
Sirpa is 53 years old and nurtured her two grown up children now aged 33 and 25.
Sirpa said, in her case, breastfeeding was very much a mothers business and her personal decision because it was not emphasized in their days like today. In her words, “To me, it was a burden because I did not get any support from my husband.” It was a religious and legalistic burden on women because the state and the church did not provide any kind of support to women in those days. The state and religious organisation considered that it was the right of the child, that a mother should breastfeed her baby. Many did not see how men could be associated to the task of breastfeed.
Annette is 23 years old and a first-time mother. Her baby is two years old already
“I did exclusive breastfeeding for four months before introducing water and supplementary food. However, I continued mixed feeding until our son was 11 months old. My husband was extremely supportive. He did the house chores and this permitted me to have enough time to breastfeed. My partner took the baby and padded him after breastfeeding and this help as father attachment to the baby. He gave me a lot of psychological support and I think most of my friends get that kind of support from their partners too”.
Matti is a 24 year-old first-time father and husband of is Annette
Matti during the conversation with Yvonne gave the reason why he supported Annette. “I supported Annette because I thought that our baby will benefit a lot from breastfeeding. I would give her pillows during the process for her to seat comfortably. I helped to make the place comfortable for her so that both mother and baby were in comfortable positions during the process. I used to get food for her because I knew that she needed to eat well to be able to breastfeed well too. I generally took care of her and made life easy for her. I tried to give her all the psychological support because it was tough for both of us. I did the house chores so she could have much time to rest”. This kept us closer in the interest of our baby boy.
Jessica is 25 year- old mother of two children aged 7 and 6 years already.
Jessica got her babies when “Breastfeeding was already quite common. “My husband was very helpful and did the house tasks, changing the babies’ diapers at night. Unfortunately, I had some allergies, so I could not practise exclusive breastfeeding completely. For this reason, my husband and I decided to introduce other foods quite early enough for the baby not to loss weight and my partner helped in preparing food for the babies too”.
Tiina is 31 years old has 3 children who are aged 7, 6 and 3.
The first two babies of Tiina were born with a difference of just one year. In Tiina’s words, “I got very good support from my husband although he didn’t stay up at night to help change the diapers. I used to have much milk and donated some to the hospital. My partner helped me in doing the extraction and because of his total support, we were able to breastfeed all three children exclusively for 1 year each before continuing with mixed feeding. Our first baby was breastfed for 14 months, the second for 20 months and the third for 29 months and this was thanks to the support I got from their father”.
The above interviews were conducted on Sunday, 3rd of May, 2009

WABA-FIAN GENDER TRAINING WORKSHOP

2009-07-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

By James Achanyi-Fontem,
Coordinator-WABA Men’s Initiative
Email: camlink99@gmail.com
The 5th annual WABA-FIAN joint gender training workshop ended in New Delhi, India on 9th July 2009. The training was delivered by two experts in gender promotion strategies from India and Malaysia, Renu Khanna and Paul Sinnappan with the coordination of leader- icon brains of the two international networks, Sarah Amin, Co-Director of WABA and Flavio Valente, Secretary General of FIAN.
The joint training workshop aimed at enabling some 29 advocates from the breastfeeding and food rights networks to raise awareness and sensitivity on gender issues. Resource persons for lectures and conducting exchange sessions focused on the gender challenges to breastfeeding and food rights issues. WABA and IBFAN Africa supported 12 persons involved in the breastfeeding protection, promotion and support movement in their regions.
On the first day of the international workshop, the principal trainer, Renu Khana, invited the participants’ patience because the workshop was not going to get into the intricacies of gender and theory due to the short period accorded for the transfer of knowledge. She added that 30% of the course at the beginning was dedicated to getting participants know themselves as this is vital for planting the seeds of gender. That is why a welcome dinner was programmed on the evening of the workshop first day on July 6.
On the second day, the participants exploited the application of gender in all aspects of their work. This included what gender meant for the breastfeeding movement as initiated and promoted by WABA. Towards the end of the training, working with men was introduced as a special aspect with relevance to gender promotion.
To introduce the participants into the core of the issue, Renu Khanna, Paul Sinnappan and Flavio Valente led the selected human right activists to focusing on gender in the larger context that takes into consideration the situation of the environment, cultures, political and socio-economic reflections. To achieve this, gender analysis was done in line with the right to food and gender mainstreaming. Before the end of the course, participants were guided on how to apply the ideas exchanged within the four days in the conception of a plan of action.
Two strategic plans of action were conceived that cover activities in the areas of gender and breastfeeding with gender to the rights to food. To better understand the issue of gender, Renu Khanna talked about what it is and what it is not. This was better understood when the attitudes of the male and female were described considering their natural and structural build ups.
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, WABA and the Food First Information and Action Network, FIAN, expected the participants to be well sensitized on the concept of gender and gender mainstreaming, after equipping them with tools and skills of gender analysis by the end of the course. The course participants should be able to enable others in their respective regions and countries in the development of gender analysis of breastfeeding and rights to adequate food after the training in their respective regions and countries now.
Participants returned with resource materials for the application of gender concepts and the development of gender sensitive strategies and work plans. Within the context of the training, participants learnt about how to differentiate between sex and gender, recall dimensions of gender as a system enumerate and list gender aspects of breastfeeding and rights to adequate food. The men and women were able to list men’s role and responsibilities in appropriate infant feeding and promotion of rights to adequate food by the end of the training.
Issues treated within the period of the workshop included gender and sex, gender as a system, gender aspects of breastfeeding and rights to adequate food, gender analysis frameworks, economic and political contexts of women, men’s involvement, role and responsibilities, gender mainstreaming and gender indicators. The participatory training methodologies included exercises, games, group discussions and presentations, role plays, experience sharing by participants and others.
Renu Khanna has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the faculty of management studies from Delhi University, India with over 25 years of experience in health care management and organizational development in health.
Paul Sinnappan has for the past 10 years been involved in conducting gender training for men in the credit unions, cooperatives, micro credit programmes and non-governmental organizations, NGOs, in Malaysia and South East Asia.
The joint WABA-FIAN gender training workshop initiative began several years back in 2004 with the introduction of gender concerns by the donor agency, the Canadian Cooperative Association, CCA. Since then, the International Cooperative Association, ICA; the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions, ACCU, and the Asian Women in Cooperative Development Forum, AWCF have become partners in the process of integrating gender in cooperatives in Asia and Pacific region.
Other impact resource persons for the training were Flavio Valente of FIAN International from Heldelberg, Germany and Laskshmi Menon from the Association for consumers’ Action on Safety and Health Centre, ACASH, in Mumbai, India. Lakshmi is a consultant to WABA and was also the former co-coordinator of WABA’s Gender Working Group.
WABA’s gender programme goals include:
1.The promotion of gender awareness among breastfeeding advocates and mainstreaming of the gender perspective in breastfeeding advocacy and programmes.
2.The promotion of collaboration between the breastfeeding movement and the women’s movement, in order to strengthen the common advocacy goals of both movements; and to undertake joint advocacy, education and training on women’s rights, health and breastfeeding.
3.To increase participation of men in domestic work, child care and provide breastfeeding support, to raise men’s awareness on women’s rights and reproductive health issues.
For more information, click on the following link - www.waba.org.my or www.fian.org

WABA Joint Statement

2009-06-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

WABA is pleased to share with you the joint statement, a result of the WABA Global Breastfeeding Partners Meeting VII workshop in Penang, Malaysia, October 2008 on : ‘Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Continued Breastfeeding from 6 - 24 + Months: "Issues, Politics, Policies and Action". According to the information circulated by WABA Co-Director Susan Siew, the statement calls upon everyone involved in improving the health and development of infants and young children to take steps to ensure that continued breastfeeding 6-24+ months is protected, promoted and supported as the precondition for, and foundation of, appropriate complementary feeding.
Detailed explanation of the background and context of the statement helps clarify the rationale and challenges involved in the issue of continued breastfeeding. Recommendation on actions encompassing communication, education and promotion; practical support; breastfeeding as part of complementary feeding; definitions and monitoring; addressing misinformation through marketing and special circumstances are also handled in the joint statement.
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network of individuals & organisations concerned with the protection, promotion & support of breastfeeding worldwide.WABA action is based on the Innocenti Declaration, the Ten Links for Nurturing the Future and the Global Strategy for Infant & Young Child Feeding. WABA is in consultative status with UNICEF & an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC. For more on the joint statement, please click on the following link at www.waba.org.my

Youth HIV Education In Cameroon Colleges

2009-05-03T03:50:00.000-07:00

HIV/AIDS EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
By James Achanyi-Fontem
Cameroon Link
Yvonne Fonduh Bekeny has published her findings on HIV/AIDS education in secondary schools in Cameroon within the frame work of a study of Government Bilingual High Schools in the capital city of Yaoundé. Yvonne has a master’s degree in development and international cooperation from the UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, (Department of Education Sciences) Finland.
The study describes secondary school students’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in relation to HIV/AIDS and compares these aspects in two Government Bilingual High Schools in Yaoundé-Cameroon. One school ran a formal HIV/AIDS education programme and the other did not. Factors influencing students’ attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) and their trusted sources of HIV/AIDS knowledge were examined.
618 students participated in the survey with ages ranged from 10 to 25 and the average age was 15. The data was collected in November 2008 and findings indicated that students in the two schools are quite knowledgeable about modes of HIV prevention and transmission, while more students in the intervention school are conversant with facts.
There were no differences in attitudes towards PLHIV observed in both schools. Students of the intervention school reported more positive attitudes towards condoms than those of the no-intervention school. Girls demonstrated more discrimination towards PLHIV than boys and religion has an impact on attitudes toward PLHIV.
Students trusted doctors/nurses, parents and teachers as important sources of HIV/AIDS knowledge. The research showed that HIV/AIDS interventions actually impact moderate behaviour changes, but there is weak correlation between HIV/AIDS education and attitudes towards PLHIV.
This calls for vigorous input into the formal HIV/AIDS intervention, targeting specific behavioural aspects and perhaps qualitative approaches to understanding the drivers of students’ attitudes. Yvonne Fonduh Bekeny suggests that parents should be more involved in the process of HIV/AIDS education as well.
Genesis
Since its discovery, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has spread more rapidly than most diseases in recent history, having social-cultural, economical and moral repercussions on individuals, families, communities and threatening foundations of entire societies. Over the years, the link between HIV/AIDS and impoverishment has grown and even stronger as the disease is infecting and affecting the younger generation who are the productive labour force of every economy. An estimated 11.8 million young people aged 15–24 are living with HIV/AIDS, and half of all new infections, over 6,000 daily, are occurring among them (The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS, 2003).
Africa is still the highest hit region with 63% of global infections and the highest prevalence among the age group 15-49 (UNAIDS, 2003). The international community has come to acknowledge that HIV/AIDS is not only a health problem. It is a developmental disaster of alarming proportions which will affect development goals at the human, financial and material levels.
In Cameroon, the prevalence has generally been stagnating and the WHO (2005) observes that young people in Cameroon are highly affected. Indeed, a third of Cameroonians infected are 15-29 years of age. This age group constitutes all Cameroonians who are in secondary school, high school, University, vocational schools, professional schools and those in active service. Cameroon has a population of about 18,175.000 million, (WHO Cameroon, 2009).
According to UNAIDS (2008), HIV adult prevalence stands at 5,5%. The number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) is 543,295. The number of infections for those aged 15-24 years is 3,2%, 44.813 children aged 0-14 are living with HIV and children orphaned by AIDS related diseases amount to 305,000. Deaths related to AIDS infections are 43,632.
In their article, Mbanya, Martyn & Paul (2008) state that the socio-economic impact of the disease is profound with growing numbers of sectors being affected, and high hospital bed occupancy rampant. They add that this results in overstretched medical personnel and extra burden to the health and education sectors where school teachers are reported to be unproductive
on several counts and morbidity increasing from opportunistic infections. This of course, poses a major challenge to the socio-economic development of the country considering the fact that the age group below 15 makes up about 42% of the entire population (Population Reference Bureau, 2009).
Although the government of Cameroon has been quite committed in the fight against HIV/AIDS, especially in the domain of providing Anti Retro Viral (ARV) drugs and care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS, it has been observed that prevalence among the 15-24 years old is staggering, and they still remain the highest risk group in Cameroon.
Children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are more likely to drop out of school at some point in time. The entire school systems are themselves affected by HIV/AIDS, 95% of HIV positive teachers have difficulties with punctuality in school and 73% of them affirm that they have to stop lessons from time to time when they are not physically fit. Up to 67% of students living with HIV face similar problems. (UNESCO Cameroon, 2007). These circumstances make it difficult for students to have a decent education.
The Paranoid situation created by this pandemic is putting the entire educational systems and the society at large under pressure. The education system must be supported through prevention, for education is the major driver of economic and social development. Indeed, countries education sectors have a strong potential to make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS (Bundy 2002). Prevention and coping strategies can only be ensured through education for it is a reality that with the present state of scientific knowledge and development, the only protection available to society is through education (Kelly, 2004).
The youth were the focus of this study because they are the future driving force of the economy and their well being will improve every aspect of the nation’s development, including demographic aspects such as life expectancy, which is currently at 50 years (UNDP, 2008). During my years as a teacher, I realized that most students infected or orphaned by AIDS related causes, could not afford school requirements and they were also under a lot of psychological pressure as a result of stigma and discrimination. Consequently, some students who were infected and affected were perpetual absentees because of the social effects, exclusion, anxieties and impoverishment perpetrated by the AIDS epidemic.
These experiences have moved me to research on HIV/AIDS education and its relevance to secondary school students as one means to disenable the vicious cycle of trauma, impoverishment and disease stimulated by HIV/AIDS. This is an attempt to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the students in particular and on the educational system in general. It is also important because
halting the spread of HIV is not only a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in itself, but a prerequisite for reaching other MDGs (UNESCO, 2006). Thus, if Cameroon is to achieve Education for All (EFA) and other MDGs by 2015, education at this stage must incorporate# aspects of HIV/AIDS. The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) has observed that education
can have a dramatic effect on the health of a nation. Girls and boys who complete primary school are 50% less likely to be infected with HIV, implying that 7 million cases of HIV could be prevented in a decade by the achievement of EFA (GCE, 2007).
The UNAIDS Cameroon (2008) country report concludes that there is less emphasis on national prevention programmes and much attention is focused on treatment and care of PLHIV. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPE) indicates that HIV/AIDS is still a problem in Cameroon especially for young women and girls. They further that stigma and discrimination is a distinct problem in Cameroon (IPPF, 2007). This issue is emphasized by Njechu (2008) who reports that the non-collection of HIV results after screening has been blamed for the increase in HIV incidences in Cameroon. His report was based on information from the Yaoundé based Institute of Behavioural Research (IRESCO) who warned that only 7% of young people aged 15-24 who went for voluntary testing collected their results.
The research revealed that many who did the screening test and failed to collect their results either feared stigmatization or imminent death if they were HIV positive. The research also stated that only a few Cameroonians within this age group go in for voluntary testing.
For more information, contact researcher by email: bekeny@yahoo.fr

Why Men Die Early

2009-04-14T02:02:00.000-07:00

Why Men die earlier than Women
James Achanyi-Fontem
Coordinator WABA MWG
According to statistics, it is observed that women outlive men in the world today, and scientists have traditionally pointed to riskier behaviour on the part of men as the reason why. Another reason for the earlier demise of men may be that they are more prone to parasitic infections. In a study report, Ian P. F. Owens, from Imperial College London, writes, that "In those species where males die younger than females, the males suffer a disproportionately high rate of parasitism. This is most extreme in those species where male-male competition for mates is most severe. From the above thought, it is believed that male-biased mortality occurs not only as a result of death through risky behaviour, but also because males are more susceptible to parasitic diseases.
Owens believes testosterone may play a key role to make men more prone to infections. The male hormone is well-recognized as an immunosuppressant, and studies have shown men who are castrated (and thus no longer produce testosterone) live about 15 years longer than men who are not castrated. Testosterone may suppress the immune system, he continues, by changing the way men's bodies allocate important resources, such as taking energy away from the immune system and using it for other purposes.
Another explanation for the increased risk for parasitic infections among males, suggested is the simple fact that men are bigger than women and thus provide a larger target for parasites
• As of 2005, the average life expectancy in the U.S. was 80.4 for women and 75.2 for men. That means men, on average, die 5.2 years earlier than women.1
• Statistics show that being male is now the single largest risk factor for early mortality in developed countries.2
• A number of genetic-biological and socio-cultural factors contribute to the longevity gap between men and women. They include differences in sex hormones, sex chromosomes, immune response, iron in the blood, natural selection, cultural conditioning and how the sexes deal with their standing in society.
• How much of the longevity gap is due to biology and how much to environment or behaviour is a matter of debate among scientists but the best data we have today suggests that only about one-third of longevity is due to genes.
• Boys in the U.S are reported to have a 29 percent higher prenatal death rate3 and are 20 percent more vulnerable to infant mortality up to age one.4
• According to a study done in 2003 by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, men have higher age-adjusted death rates than women for the 15 leading causes of death in the U.S., with the exception of Alzheimer's disease.5
• Because men usually develop heart disease 10 to 15 years earlier than women do, they are more likely to die of it in the prime of life. About one-fourth of all heart-disease-related deaths occur in men aged between 35 to 65.6
• More American men than women are reported stricken with cancer. The age-adjusted invasive cancer incidence rate per 100,000 people in 2004 was 537.6 for men and 402.1 for women.7
• Men are 30% more likely to suffer a stroke than are women, making it the third-leading cause of death in men.8
• More than twice as many men die each year because of accidents as do women.9
• Men have a 30 percent higher risk of death from pneumonia than women.10
• Men's death rates are at least twice as high as women's for suicide, homicide and cirrhosis of the liver.11
• If men attempt suicide, they are more likely to succeed than women. Suicide was the eighth leading cause of death for males and the sixteenth leading cause of death for females in 2004.12
• Scientists believe that if everybody adopted a healthy lifestyle and medical advances in prevention, early detection and treatment of disease continue at their present pace, we could achieve an average life expectancy of 85 or 90.
• As obesity becomes more pervasive in the U.S., some predict that life expectancy may actually decrease.13
• Men are more prone to taking risks than women.14 There's also evidence that they are quicker to aggression15 and more likely than females to express their aggression physically.16
• Male drivers have a 77 percent higher risk of dying in a car accident than women, based on miles driven.17
• Men are much more likely to be incarcerated than women18 and are far more likely than women to be victims of violent crime.19
• If men attempt suicide, they are more likely to succeed than women.20
• About one-quarter of adult men currently smoke at least occasionally compared with one in five women21 which can lead to higher death rates from diseases like arteriosclerotic heart disease, lung cancer and emphysema.
• Men drink more and indulge in recreational drugs more often than women, both risk factors for long-term health problems and accidental death.
A study published in the July 2000 issue of Psychological Review reported that US females are more likely to deal with stress by seeking support than men. Statistically men in Cameroon die at a younger age than women for several reasons, including genetic and biologic factors. This relates to the fact that being male is now the single largest risk factor for early mortality in developing countries on the whole.
How much of the longevity gap is due to biology and how much to environment or behaviour remains a matter of debate among scientists. According to Thomas Perls, MD, women have been outliving men for centuries though the gap has changed over time, primarily due to the hazards of childbirth. Though medical science has become more successful in providing better outcomes for women delivering babies in the developed countries to increase the longevity gap, research needs to be carried in the developing countries to learn about the current real situation estimated at 5 years of outliving men.
The longevity gap varies by age, scientists have revealed. While boys die more frequently than girls in infancy, during childhood, and during each subsequent year of life, male mortality accelerates considerably during certain stages of life. Between ages 15 and 24 years, when testosterone is at its highest levels in men, they are four to five times more likely to die than women. The gap then narrows until late middle age when the death rate for men increases mainly due to heart disease, suicide, car accidents and illnesses related to smoking and alcohol use.
In 2005, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention listed the 15 leading causes of death as the following:
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Stroke
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases
• Accidents
• Diabetes
• Alzheimer's disease
• Influenza and pneumonia
• Kidney disease
• Septicaemia
• Suicide
• Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
• Hypertension
• Parkinson's disease
• Homicide
Consider the following:
• Because men usually develop heart disease 10 to 15 years earlier than women do, they are more likely to die of it in the prime of life. About one-fourth of all heart-disease-related deaths occur in men ages 35 to 65.5
• More men than women are stricken with cancer. The age-adjusted invasive cancer incidence rate per 100,000 people in 2004 was 537.6 for men and 402.1 for women.6
• Men are 30% more likely to suffer a stroke than are women, making it the third-leading cause of death in men.7
• More than twice as many men die each year because of accidents as do women.8
• Men have a 30 percent higher risk of death from pneumonia than women.9
• Men's death rates are at least twice as high as women's for suicide, homicide and cirrhosis of the liver.10
• If men attempt suicide, they are more likely to succeed than women. Suicide was the eighth leading cause of death for males and the sixteenth leading cause of death for females in 2004.11
Sources:
1. Sexual selection and the Male: Female Mortality Ratio; Daniel Kruger, PhD; Randolph Nesse, MD; Human Nature, 2004. 2: 66-85
2. Just Like a Woman: How Gender Science is Redefining What Makes Us Female Dianne Hales, Random House, Inc.
3. Thomas Perls, MD, Harvard Medical School, New England Centenarian Study (NECS).
4. David R. Williams, the Institute for Social Research, American Journal of Public Health, May 2003.
5. American Heart Association.
6. U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999-2004 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report Version. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute.
7. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
8. Centres for Disease Prevention and Control.
9. University of Pittsburgh School of the Health Sciences.
10. Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan.
11. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centre for Injury Prevention and Control. Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System.

Men's Health & Gender

2009-04-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

Why men die and suffer more than women
By James Achanyi-Fontem,
Coordinator, WABA MWG
Women’s health has always an important part of national priority in most countries of the world, but unfortunately no counselling centres or offices for men’s health exist in most countries. It is within this frame work that one can rightly say that men are silently suffering through what can be described as a serious health crisis. Lifestyle is used to explain the differences in longevity between men and women.
One begins to question whether the mere suggestion that men need their own health counselling centres or health clinics or that men must advocate for their rights like a victimized minority would not rankle women’s health advocates, especially as some politicians are reluctant to take men’s health on as a cause, for fear of alienating women.
Apart from the exception of Alzheimer’s disease, takes the lives of more women than men, men die of just about every one of the leading causes of death at younger ages than women, from lung cancer to influenza and pneumonia, chronic liver disease, diabetes, sickle cell disorder and AIDS. Topping the list for both sexes is heart disease.
Cancer also strikes men disproportionately: one in three women at some point in life; one in two men. In part, that is a result of the fact that more men than women smoke, and possibly of occupational exposures.
On the other hand, men’s vulnerability appears to start quite early. More male foetuses are conceived, but they are at greater risk of stillbirth and miscarriage, scientists find. Even as infants, mortality is higher among newborn boys and premature baby boys.
Behaviour plays a role in some of the extra deaths and illnesses among men: they tend to be more aggressive than women and to take more risks. Men smoke at higher rates than women, drink more alcohol and are less likely to wear seat belts or use sunscreen. Men also suffer more accidental deaths and serious injuries and are more likely to die of injuries and car accidents. They are three times as likely to be victims of murder, four times as likely to commit suicide and, as teenagers, 11 times as likely to drown.
Some experts think that depression contributes to these reckless and self-destructive behaviours, but that just as heart disease was initially defined by men’s experiences and therefore ignored or missed in women, depression may have been framed by women’s experiences and therefore may be missed and go untreated in men.
As a result, even though more baby boys are born, among people in their mid-30s, women outnumber men. Among people age 100, women outnumber men by 8 to one. During a research study carried out by Dr. Legato, he tried asked a number questions, which tried to clarify analysis of male vulnerability like: “Why are there more miscarriages of boy foetuses? What is it about the sexing of the foetus that makes a male more vulnerable? What makes a boy less mature in terms of lung function after he’s born? And what is this propensity for risk-taking?”
One theory is that males are vulnerable because of their chromosomal makeup: where women have two X chromosomes, men have an X chromosome and a Y chromosome. “It is said that even before implantation in the wall of the uterus, the newly fertilized XX entity has a leg up,” Dr. Legato said, “because it can use that extra X to combat mutations in the chromosome that might be lethal or detrimental. And that might be a reason why females have a more sturdy constitution.”
Scientists and advocates who are concerned about men’s health are encouraging men themselves to take the first steps by accepting responsibility for their health status, seeking preventive care and making changes in habits, if necessary. New drugs for erectile dysfunction have helped bring men into doctors’ offices in recent years, experts say, but that is not enough.
Dr. Ken Goldberg, a urologist and the author of “How Men Can Live as Long as Women,” says in his work that “Men need to take as good care of their bodies as they do of their cars and trucks”. Men should stop thinking that they are bulletproof and invincible.
Research based on a 2000 survey by the Commonwealth Fund found that almost a quarter of all men had not seen a doctor during the previous year, compared with only 8 percent of women, and that one in three men had no regular doctor, compared with one in five women. More than half of men had not gone in for a routine check-up or cholesterol test during the previous year. Even if something was bothering them, the survey found, men often expressed reluctance to seek medical help. Nearly 40 percent said they would delay care for a few days, and 17 percent said they would wait at least a week.
Other studies have found that because poor women with children may qualify for Medical aid, poor men are more likely to lack health insurance. Advocates say that research must be directed at how specific diseases develop in men, but that studies should also be done to explore the underlying reasons that men do not take better care of themselves.
Dr. William Pollack, director of the Centre for Men at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., USA affiliated with Harvard Medical School thinks that the problems are rooted in how boys are raised. Very often, “we’ve socialized men from the time they are boys that ‘You have to stand on your own two feet,’ ‘If you have a problem, handle it by yourself,’ ‘Be a man, take one for the team. “All of these mean, men do not have to complain, don’t have to ask for help and they have to solve their problems by themselves.’ ”

WABA Birthing The World In Quebec, Canada 2010

2009-01-05T09:44:00.001-08:00

WABA Birthing The World in Quebec,Canada from 12 - 17 June,2010
James Achanyi-Fontem, Cameroon Link
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, WABA, has issued an invitation to all protectors, promoters and supporters of breastfeeding worldwide to join the Global Forum III slated in Quebec City, Canada from the 12th - 17th June 2010. The message went around the world on the 14th February 2009 when WABA clocked 18. In an information sheet published during the anniversary, it narrated 18 great things that happened since the creation of the global breastfeeding promotion movement.
It would be recalled that,one of the resolutions taken during the Global Breastfeeding Partners Meeting, GBPM VII 2008 in Penang was the hosting of WABA Forum 2010 in Quebec, Canada and the exact date was awaited. During the deliberations, representatives of Quebec Public Health Association ,QPHA, made a presentation on the level of preparations. QPHA invited all Core Partners of WABA to join Quebec in Summer 2010 to rebirth the world in Canada’s historic city. Presenting templates under the theme “Birthing the World”, the association said it is going to be at the first sunrise and each birth is going to be unique, mystical and historic.
Canadians see the event as an event that belongs to the community on a long path of human evolution and participants will not only talk to themselves but to the world as a whole. The preparation of this project started in 2001 with the adoption of Quebec’s Breastfeeding Guidelines ahead of the participation in the 2nd WABA Forum in Monik St.Pierre in 2002.
In 2004 - 2005, the association presented the project to a joint session of WABA and the International Lactation Consultants Association, ILCA, before the organization was approached in 2006 to host the event by WABA's Co-Directors.
The Co-Directors of WABA, Susan Siew and Sarah Amin visited Canada in 2007 for a feasibility study with ASPQ and this led to the take off of preparations proper presented at the GBPM VII 2008 in Penang, Malaysia. At the heart of the mission of ASPQ is health and members keep questioning themselves about the way forward by mobilizing people and influencing decision makers.
In Canada, ASPQ contributes to prevention, promotion and improving the health and well being of people.
A major activity of the organization in the past 30 years has been centred on “Perinatality”, which is the period from conception to when the child is 24 months of age. The continuum of perinatality includes pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
At this time, consideration is given to the mother and child with a lot of question, analysis as a critical eye is developed towards the dominant culture linked to perinatal issues. ASPQ has organized four international conferences on different themes which include, to give birth or be delivered in 1980, annual perinatal isssues in 1990, obstetrics and public health in 2004, becoming a parent in 2008. The last conference looked into the wants and needs of parents. The international conference of 2010 within the WABA Forum will focus on the theme of "Birthing the World".
It should be noted that in Canada, health is under provincial jurisdiction. At the Federal Government level, Health Canada and the Canadian Public Health Agency supervize activities and take decisions. At the provincial levels are implanted the ministry of health and social services, which serve populations of up to 7.5 million inhabitants directly as the public health link.
The public health mandate in Canada is to protect culture, under which are community life styles, the medical care system and human made environment issues interact. These services check personal behaviour, psycho-social environment, physical environment and human biology, which all affect families and biosphere.
Canada has 23 certified Baby Friendly Hospitals, birthing centres and community health services. Out of the 23, 17 are found in Quebec. This could be the good reason that opened the doors for Quebec hosting the WABA Forum which is usually a fertile ground for learning and exchange of experiences. The breastfeeding history of Quebec, however, tells us that two generations of mothers have not breastfed their babies and breastfeeding initiation rates have remained as low as 20%.
Breastfeeding objectives were integrated into public health national priorities in Canada only in 1997. According to the decision of the WABA GBPM last October, 2010 would also be a good venue and opportunity to hold the first-ever men's initiative forum as men get more and more involved in breastfeeding promotion and protection.
For more on the men's initiative, click on http://camlinknews.blogspot.com/ and http://uk.youtube.com/camlink99 for events in video format.

Benefits of Breastfeeding
According to the US Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, ABM, breastfeeding offers irrefutable and long-lasting health benefits for both mother and baby, who are supported by a comprehensive body of scientific research, including original articles and reviews such as those in Breastfeeding Medicine, the peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
According to leaders of the Academy, despite a sound scientific basis for the advantages of breastfeeding, dissenting opinions that aim to discredit breastfeeding, and question its relevance for women, receive exposure in the mass media such as the recent article in The Atlantic. Critics of breastfeeding do a disservice to new mothers around the world who seek the facts about the proven health benefits of breastfeeding as they often misrepresent the scientific findings and wrongly base global recommendations on the experiences and views of select groups of women.
Clinical and basic science research supports the role of breastfeeding in the development of a baby’s immune system and the presence of maternal antibodies protects infants against infection. Artificial feeding is also associated with increased risk of common disorders of early childhood such as ear infections, asthma, skin disorders, digestive problems, and respiratory tract infections. Studies have also linked artificial feeding to increased risk for obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and necrotizing enterocolitis. Mothers benefit as well, and a history of breastfeeding has been associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and of breast and ovarian cancer.
With this growing body of evidence, and increasing support among health and medical professionals, breastfeeding rates in the U.S. are in fact on the rise. “But we are reminded as articles like this arise that misinformation abounds. Our goal is to continue to educate healthcare professionals to support mothers who understand the singular importance of breastfeeding and choose to do so,” remarks Caroline J. Chantry, MD, President of the Academy.
“The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine encourages all women to make an informed choice when faced with the question of how to feed their infants based on strong, well-referenced scientific information. The data are compelling, scientific, and reinforced constantly. Breastfeeding for the new mother may not always be easy, but it is important and rewarding for both mother and infant,” says Ruth A. Lawrence, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Breastfeeding Medicine, from the Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.
The Academy is a global organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding through education, research, and advocacy ( www.bfmed.org).
The Academy promotes the development and dissemination of clinical practice guidelines, and offers clinical protocols for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants which are available on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) National Guideline Clearinghouse website. The education of physicians and other healthcare professionals is the continuing goal of its Annual International Meeting; the 2009 Meeting will be held November 5-8 in Williamsburg, VA.
Breastfeeding Medicine is an authoritative, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal published quarterly. The journal publishes original scientific articles, reviews, and case studies on a broad spectrum of topics in lactation medicine. It presents evidence-based research advances and explores the immediate and long-term outcomes of breastfeeding, including the epidemiologic, physiologic, and psychological benefits of breastfeeding. The Academy's complete position statement appears on the Academy website ( www.bfmed.org).
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 140 Huguenot St., New Rochelle, NY 10801-5215(800) 990.4ABM (914) 740.2115 Fax: (914) 740.2101 Email: abm@bfmed.org Web site: www.bfmed.org
“Breastfeeding is going natural”

Commonwealth Professional Fellowship Quality Management Training

2008-12-09T05:11:00.000-08:00

FFF Cameroon Training Evaluation Report

Award Holder: James Achanyi-Fontem
Address: Cameroon Link, P.O, Box 1460 Douala, Littoral Province, Cameroon
Telephone: (237) 77758840 Fax: (237) 33391356
Email: camlink99@gmail.com or jafontem@yahoo.com
COURSE CONTENT COVERED
INDUCTION ON OVERALL AIM OF COURSE
The Director of the Sickle Cell Society, Dr. Asa’ah Nkohkwo, organized the induction which consisted of what the society is all about and is doing. He explained in details the content of the training programme which was basically, on the transfer through on-the-job “Best Practice” exposure to Fine Forest Foundation – Cameroon managers, the ropes of value-for-money sustainability and responsive community-led NGO management skills.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
These covered value for money system accountability appraisal in relation to:
 CORPORATE PLANNING: CP>IP>FRS>DELIVERY
 OBJECTIVES SETTING & ACTION TRANSLATION
 METROLOGY REPORTING & PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY
 STAKEHOLDER IMPACT ASSESSMENT
 MARKETING, PR & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
SPECIFIC AREAS COVERED
 EXPOSURE TO A TYPICAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SET-UP USING THE SICKLE CELL SOCIETY AS AN EXAMPLE
 BUSINESS PLANNING & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
 BUDGETING FOR GROWTH
 DIRECT / INDIRECT INCOME GENERATION TO DELIVER OBJECTIVE
 BOOK KEEPING (TRACEABLE INCOME DEPLOYMENT)
 KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM (ICT, WEBSITE, FILING ETC)
 QUALITY ASSURANCE & CONTROL
 STAKEHOLDER SATISFACTION
 FUNDRAISING & MICRO-FINANCE
 EVENTS MANAGEMENT BY BTP
 HEALTH PROMOTION

DELIVERY METHODS

 INDUCTION & MODULE LECTURES
 LEARNING SET & TUTORIAL WITH PRACTICE
 MODELS APPRAISAL: SICKLE CELL SOCIETY- PQASSO = practical quality assurance for small (& medium)- sized organizations)
 LEARNING VISITS TO COMPANIES, ORGANISATIONS & COLLEGES
 OUTREACH PLACEMENTS
 SELF DIRECTED ENQUIRY AND JOINING IN
 PLACEMENTS: OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2008
 MONITORING, EVALUATIONS & REPORTS : 1-12 DECEMBER

DELIVERY PARTNERS

 SICKLE CELL SOCIETY
 BRITISH COUNCIL – (COMMONWEALTH COMMISSION)
 NSTECHNOMED LTD
 TMG FOUNDATION
 OUTREACH MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD

TUTORS
Dr. ASA’AH NKOHKWO, PROJECT LEAD
Dr. JANE WAI-OGOSU, SICKLE CELL SOCIETY & LFGSCA
MIRIAM WILLIAMS, SICKLE CELL SOCIETY
KALPNA PATEL, SICKLE CELL SOCIETY
IYAMIDE THOMAS, SICKLE CELL SOCIETY & LFGSCA
COMFORT NDIVE, SICKLE CELL SOCIETY & LFGSCA
EDMOND ASONGANYI, FINE FOREST FOUNDATION
Dr. STELLA NANA-FABU, FINE FOREST FOUNDATION
Dr. ROSEMARY BURNLEY, TMG FOUNDATION
Prof. SAMA NWANA, NSTECHNOMED & TMG FOUNDATION
Mrs. ELIZABETH EMMANUEL, NSTECHNOMED
JULIUS NKENGANYI, NSTECHNOMED
YVONNE NDIFOR, NSTECHNOMED
JOHN MENSAH, OUTREACH MANAGEMENT SERVICES Ltd
LFGSCA= London Focus Group on Sickle Cell in Africa

BUSINESS PLANNING & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
John Mensah of Outreach Management Services addressed the issues of business planning, project design and management in theory and practice. The following were treated step by step:
 Fundraising and resource mobilisation
 Diversity and Equal Opportunities
 Presentation & Communication Skills
 Networking
 Management Development
 Business Plan
 Project Management Advocacy and Campaigns
 Public Relations
 Roles and Responsibilities of boards and trustees
Outreach Management Services specializes in providing solutions to charities, community and voluntary groups by equipping them with relevant skills. It assists groups of all sizes to maximize their potential through cost effective training and capacity building. Outreach delivery was highly participative and enabled the trainees to achieve insight and clarity.

BUDGETING FOR GROWTH AND BOOK KEEPING WITH TRACEABLE INCOME DEPLOYMENT
Ms Yvonne Ndifor, Assistant Company Secretary, NSTechnoMed UK lectured on budgeting for growth and book keeping with traceable income deployment. The content delivered included the following objectives:
 Examine and analyze the basic concept and principles of budgeting.
 Examine and analyze the basic concept and principles of bookkeeping in particular regards to traceable income deployment.
 At the end of the training, participants should be able to prepare and set up a budget and carry out basic bookkeeping within an organisation.
Explaining what budgeting for growth is all about, Ms. Ngechop Yvonne Claire NDI described the nature of a budget under:
 What is a budget?
 The importance of budgeting within an organization
 Different types of budgets
 The distinction between a budget and a cash flow
 Steps involve in preparing a budget
 A practical example involving the preparation of a budget
On BOOK KEEPING, the award holders were taught the basic, main areas of book keeping within an organization, Key rules, guidelines and basic principles of book keeping for traceable audit.
Practical training on book keeping principles with particular emphasis to small and medium size organisations and charitable organization was offered.

FUNDRAISING & MICRO-FINANCE
Public health and food security-The impact of Micro-finance on Households’ Food Security in rural communities of West Cameroon
Edmond Asonganyi of Fine Forest Foundation-UK specialized in development issues guided the fellows from Cameroon on how micro-finance could be deployed for poverty alleviation through the promotion of house-hold food security in rural communities.
In his lecture , he examined rural poor households Micro-finance activities and explored the strength and the limitations of micro-finance as a means to reduce households’ Food insecurity
Edmond Asonganyi described Micro-finance as a financial service targeting and catering for clients who are excluded from the conventional financial system on account of their lower economic status. Microfinance can include Micro credit, Micro-savings, Micro-insurance and payment (www.Micro-financealliance, 2007)On food security, he said, it is access by all people at all times to the food needed for a healthy life (Braun, et al. 1992)
He emphasized on the fact that Food Security has been an international development issue since the 1960s (Gala, 2002).
This is justified by the fact that about 820 million people suffer from food insecurity worldwide and the first millennium goal is to half the proportion of people suffering from hunger by 2015.
Malnutrition is seen as the leading cause of death in developing countries, while Poverty is the underlying cause of malnutrition (Young, et al. 2001). In the developing countries, the poor do not have collaterals to borrow money from traditional bankers to enhance their well being

ROLE OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY IN NGO MANAGEMENT
It was within the context of the above title that MICROSOFT application programs were taught to the Commonwealth fellows from Cameroon by Julius Nkenganyi, NSTechnoMed Marketing Service
Apart from learning about Microsoft Applications, the trainees were drilled on general basic computer functions, parts and usage. Emphasis was laid on electrostatic discharge, electricity and general health and safety when using a computer.

Microsoft Word
Being one of the most commonly used, Microsoft Soft application, Microsoft Word was taught to the trainees who learnt the basics of word processing within the environment of Microsoft Word. This will help us to be self reliant in their daily operations in terms creating and editing word document. Otherwise we might have to hire somebody to do it for us. Our being knowledgeable will save money.
Topics learnt included the following, though not limited to:
Introduction into Microsoft Word
Starting and working with Microsoft Word
viewing the toolbars
creating A New word Document
Formatting and Editing Text
Inserting a Table
Inserting a Picture
Inserting Page Numbers and Date/Time
Spell Checking Your Document

Microsoft Excel
With Microsoft Excel, as an award holders l learnt the basics of creating spreadsheets, recording and analyzing data for viewing and collaboration. I also learnt how to create customized formulas for data and analyze it with the easy to construct charts. Topics taught on excel include:
Introduction into Excel
Spreadsheet Basics
Creating Spread sheets
Modifying a Worksheet
Formatting Cells
Formulas and Functions
Sorting and Filing
Graphics
Charts
Page Properties and Printing

Microsoft Access
Sometimes a charity could be overwhelmed by the large quantities of data that need to be tracked in the organization. The Fine Forest Foundation Cameroon Management team is now not left behind in this capability age. Therefore, it becomes imperative were taught Access; because Access provides FFF Cameroon with the software tools they need to organize data in a flexible and easy to retrieve manner within their organisation.
The Commonwealth trainees working as a team learnt basic Access, which touched on the following:
Introduction into Access
Creating and Inputting Data into a new database
Creating and entering records into a table
Editing databases
Queries
Reports

Microsoft Publisher
Publisher was used to teach how to easily create and customize materials such as newsletters, brochures, flyers and catalogs. The FFF Cameroon will save much money and time by using this soft ware to produce its newsletters. Topics taught included:
Introduction into Microsoft Publisher
Starting up Publisher
Creating Publications based on template
Create a Publication with a Wizard.
Creation of Brochures, Flyers, Catalogs and Newsletters

PowerPoint
The Application of powerpoint is used during presentations.

Internet
Set-up & use of email facility
basics of website design, registration & updating
e-marketing
e-dialogue interactivity: discussion forums
ICT Policy: safety & security & regulations

Commonwealth NGO Mentors Drilled on Quality Assurance & Control
The chance of Business Sustainability can ONLY ever be maximized through endeavoring to incubate and live Quality Assurance (QA) and Control.. This observation was made by Prof. Sama Nwana of TMG Foundation UK during a lecture for Fine Forest Foundation Cameroon NGO Mentorship on sustainable management.
Speaking on Quality Assurance, Prof. Sama Nwana, said this refers to planned and systematic production processes that provide confidence in a product’s suitability for its intended purpose. Quality Assurance is a set of activities intended to ensure that products satisfy customer requirements in a systematic, reliable fashion. He added, however, that QA cannot absolutely guarantee the production of quality products, but makes this more likely.
Prof. Sama Nwana went on to say, that two key principles characterise QA, which are “fit for purpose” and “right first time”. Fit for purpose simply means that the product should be suitable for the intended purpose, while right first time means, mistakes should be eliminated from the start. QA includes regulation of the quality of raw materials, assemblies, products and components, services related to production, and management, production and inspection processes.

FFF Cameroon Joins Commonwealth Fellows Network
Three managers from the Fine Forest Foundation, FFF, Cameroon on Monday, 17th November, 2008 joined their counterparts from other parts of the world in a welcome Forum Event organized by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, CSC in London.. The three, who represented the FFF were Ursula Fontem, Anastasia Atabong and James Achanyi from Cameroon. The three were engaged in a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship training hosted by the Sickle Cell Society UK, aimed at capacitating them on how to operate a charity effectively for the empowerment of local communities in Cameroon.
At the welcome event for new award holders, Professor Trudy Harpham, Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom announced that the organization’s fellowship programme will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2009.
It is important to recall that the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is responsible for managing Britain’s contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, CSFP. The CSFP is an international programme under which members governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The plan was established at the first conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in Oxford, UK in 1959 and is reviewed by ministers during their triennial meetings.
It is the only scholarship scheme in the world to receive such high-level recognition and it has become one of the most prestigious international scholarship schemes The scholarships and fellowships are funded by host country governments, though the United Kingdom has been the leading contributor to the CSFP, followed by Canada
Awards have also been held at some stage in over twenty commonwealth countries, and recipients have come from virtually all Commonwealth countries. Presenting the key note speech during the welcome 2008 event, David Lammy, MP, Minister of State for Higher Education and intellectual Property invited the the new award holders to play an important role in the CSC community from the time they take up their awards.
Over 26.000 individuals have received awards since 1959 and have had exceptional records in rising to positions of prominence in their chosen professions. Most of them have gone on to become academics, writers, scientists and leaders of government, major NGO and the business world. Being part of the CSC community, gives fellows a unique opportunity to network with a diverse range of talented people around the Commonwealth.
The existing networks send out quarterly newsletters that provide information on then latest research developments, conference news and funding opportunities relevant to those around the Commonwealth. Issued tackled in the newsletter surround agriculture and rural development, education, environment, gender, governance, civil society and community development, science and technology, health, faith and civil society. It is within this frame work that David Lammy called on the 2008 fellows to share their news and research activities when they return to their different countries.
Meanwhile at the Sickle Cell Society, Dr. Asa’ah Nkohkwo and his team coached the FFF Cameroon managers on the value-for-money systems accountability appraisal through the on-the-job best practice exposure. The trainees received lectures on the ropes of responsive community-led NGO management. Issues treated at the Sickle Cell Society ranged from corporate planning, objective setting and action translation, metrology reporting and public accountability, stakeholders impact assessment, marketing, public relations and strategic planning..
To impact the Fine Forest Foundation trainees, the team of SCS consultants introduced them to specific areas of typical management system set-up, business planning and project management, budgeting for growth, resourcing by direct and indirect income generation book keeping, traceable income development, knowledge acquisition system like website and filing, quality assurance and control, stakeholder satisfaction, fundraising and micro-finance, events management and health promotion.
Contributions were made by John Mensah of Outreach Management Services, that is specialized in providing solutions to charities, community and voluntary groups. He equipped the FFF trustees with relevant skill for arriving at community project ownership.
Ms. Yvonne Ndifor , the Assistant Company Secretary of NSTechnoMed UK, guided the Cameroon managers on budgeting for growth and book keeping, while emphasizing on traceability of income deployed in a project.
The role of information, communication management and technology in NGO management was handled by Julius Nkenganyi, a specialist in social marketing. He taught Microsoft application programmes which are applicable to project management for good governance and accountability.
There is no doubt that if the FFF Cameroon manager deploy the knowledge gather during their stay in the United Kingdom, everybody will turn out as winner including the local community populations.
For more on this report, click on the following link: http://cameroonlink.blogspot.com/ or the YouTube at http://uk.youtube.com/camlink99&view=videos
Significance of training
1.. We gained knowledge based skills which are significant to enhancing organizational capacities of our staff and the earned knowledge will be transferred to other NGOs in Cameroon through the planning and execution of simulation workshops and seminars on issues treated during our course.
2. TOT Communication, management and teamwork skills treated by specialists in the field in theory and practice. Team building and networking was taught in relation to planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation. This is found to be critical for peer learning, especially as we shall be organizing training for leaders of other NGOs, CBOs and FBOs in Cameroon on what we acquired during our Commonwealth Professional Fellowship Course in the UK.
3. Information Technology skills acquired were tested practically, as we created info blog where bits of the pertinent information collected are placed on Google for sharing at http://cameroonlink.blogspot.com/ There is also a YouTube in operation as a result of the training at http://uk.youtube.com/camlink99&view=videos
The same skills on Information Technology for communication will be applied for improving our management capacities, sharing information and producing reports on our work for partners and donors.
4. We were taught management analytical skills in decision making and report writing. This is going to be vital for exchanging basic, accurate and timely information amongst all stakeholders involved in the promotion of FFF Cameroon activities.

Back In Cameroon
Immediate Objectives
 Develop a social mobilization for information and education of community leaders from NGO, CBO, FBO managers and government partner institutions on the outcome of our training/.
 Develop vital national networking and strategic management capacity building training to share experiences earned in UK with other NGO managers throughout Cameroon
 Organise advocacy campaigns on Sickle Cell Disorder awareness and support for sickle cell bearers. Regular Information, Education and Information planned activities will be undertaken.
Mid Term Objectives Expand greater awareness and prevention campaigns on Sickle Cell Disorder in Cameroon at the level of colleges. Pro-actively work with other health associations and NGOs to develop their managerial skills.
 Empowerment women on micro-credit development systems for the alleviation of poverty.
Objectives in the long term
*Ensure that the views of those affected by Sickle Cell Disorder are represented at national and international levels.
*Engage stakeholders meaningfully in order to address health inequalities and promote the improvement of the quality of treatment of the less advantaged populations.

Quality Management Training For FFF Cameroon In London

2008-12-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

Quality Management Training For FFF Cameroon In London
By James Achanyi-Fontem, Cameroon Link
Three top level manager of Fine Forest Foundation have just ended quality assurance and control management training under the supervision of consultants of Sickle Cell Society in London, UK. The overall aim of the training was to provide the trainees with on-the-job best practice exposure that could build and enhance their capacity in terms of the provision of value-for-money sustainability and responsive community-led NGO management.
Introducing the course, Chief Executive Officer of Suckle Cell Society UK, Dr. Mbi. Asaah Nkohkwo said, the value-for-money systems accountability appraisal taught the Cameroonian FFF Cameroon team, is going to serve for better corporate planning and delivery, while set objectives will be easily translated into action.
Metrology reporting and public accountability, stakeholder impact assessment, marketing, public relations and partnership strategies were issues treated during the three-month long training.
The trainees were introduced to a typical management system set-up, business planning and project management, budgeting for growth, direct and indirect income generation to deliver objectives, book keeping with traceable income deployment, information technology web site, filing knowledge acquisition, quality assurance and control, stake holder satisfaction, fund raising and micro finance, events management and health promotion.
Ursula Fontem, Anastasia Atabong and James Achanyi were introduce to the several delivery methods including the use of a learning set and tutorial, models appraisal adopted by the Sickle Cell Society and PQASSO. Learning visits, out reach placements, self-directed enquiry and joining-in were other methods deployed to hand over known to the Cameroon managers.
Apart from the Sickle Cell Society UK, the other delivery partners included the British Council and the Commonwealth Commission, North-South TechnoMed, The Millennium Goals Foundation, TMG, United Kingdom and Outreach Management Services UK.
Outreach Management Services is specialized in providing solutions to charities, community and voluntary groups by equipping them with relevant skills. It helps groups of all sizes to maximize their potentials and become leaders in their fields. The training model of Outreach is high participative to enable the trainees to achieve insight and clarity, especially as the courses are design for people with different levels of experience.
Sickle Cell Society UK was formed in 1979, raises awareness and provides support to those suffering from the most common genetic blood disorder in the world. By the end of 1990s, members of the board recognized that in order for the organization to continue to have impact on the communities, a new approach of management was required.
In July 2002, Dr. Asa’ah Nkohkwo, a NHS-trained manager and the then Company Secretary of the Society, with some ideas about what changes wee needed, was appointed the new Director. He has undertaken a change management programme towards introducing efficiencies to all areas of the organization, saving costs as well as improving service and scope.
That ia just part of what the Scikle Cell Society UK tried sharing with the managers of Fine Forest Foundation Cameroon for three months. This story is continued in other blogs under different news titles. Click on this connection and return to http://cameroonlink.blogspot.com/

Cameroon NGO Joins Commonwealth Fellows Network 2008

2008-11-23T05:24:00.000-08:00

FFF Cameroon Joins Commonwealth Fellows Network
By James Achanyi-Fontem, Cameroon Link
Three top level managers from the Fine Forest Foundation, FFF, Cameroon on the 17th November, 2008 joined their counterparts from other parts of the world in a welcome day event organized by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, CSC, in the United Kingdom. The three, Ursula Fontem, Anastasia Atabong and James Achanyi-Fontem from Cameroon represented the FFF in what was described by many as a crowd pulling and enriching exchange annual event. James Achanyi-Fontem seen on this blog,is also the Chief Executive Officer of Cameroon Link and triples as the International Coordinator of the WABA Men's Working Group. The managers were engaged in a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship training hosted at the Sickle Cell Society UK, which aimed at capacitating them on how to operate a charity effectively for the empowerment of local communities in Cameroon.
At the welcome event for the new award holders, Professor Trudy Harpham, Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom announced that the organization’s fellowship programme will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2009.
It is recalled that the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is responsible for managing Britain’s contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, CSFP. The CSFP is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The plan was established at the first conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in Oxford, United Kingdom in 1959 and is reviewed by ministers during their triennial meetings.
It is the only scholarship scheme in the world to receive such high-level recognition and it has become one of the most prestigious international scholarship schemes. The scholarships and fellowships are funded by host country governments, though the United Kingdom has been the leading contributor to the CSFP, followed by Canada.
Awards have also been held at some stage in over twenty commonwealth countries, and recipients have come from virtually all Commonwealth countries. Presenting the key note speech during the CSFP welcome 2008 event, David Lammy, MP, Minister of State for Higher Education and intellectual Property invited new award holders to play an important role in the CSC community from the time they take up their awards.
Over 26.000 individuals have received awards since 1959 and have had exceptional records in rising to positions of prominence in their chosen professions. Most of them have gone on to become academics, writers, scientists and leaders of government, major NGO and the business world. Being part of the CSC community, gives fellows a unique opportunity to network with a diverse range of talented people around the Commonwealth.
The existing networks send out quarterly newsletters that provide information on the latest research developments, conference news and funding opportunities relevant to those around the Commonwealth. Issues tackled in the newsletter surround agriculture and rural development, education, environment, gender, governance, civil society and community development, science and technology, health, faith and civil society. It is within this frame work that David Lammy called on the 2008 fellows to share their news and research activities when they return to their different countries.
Meanwhile at the CEO of Sickle Cell Society, Dr. Asa’ah Nkohkwo and his team engaged in a very dense coaching programme for three months of the FFF Cameroon managers on the value-for-money systems accountability appraisal through the on-the-job best practice exposure. The trainees received lectures on the ropes of responsive community-led NGO management. Issues treated at the Sickle Cell Society ranged from corporate planning, objective setting and action translation, metrology reporting and public accountability, stakeholders impact assessment, marketing, public relations and strategic planning..
To impact the Fine Forest Foundation trainees valuable and durable management strategies, the team of SCS consultants introduced them to specific areas of typical management system set-up, business planning and project management, budgeting for growth, resourcing by direct and indirect income generation book keeping, traceable income development, knowledge acquisition system like website and filing, quality assurance and control, stakeholder satisfaction, fundraising and micro-finance, events management and health promotion.
Contributions were made by John Mensah of Outreach Management Services, specialized in providing solutions to charities, community and voluntary groups. He equipped the FFF trustees with relevant skills for arriving at community project ownership.
Mrs. Ngechop Yvonne Claire Ndifor , the Assistant Company Secretary of NSTechnoMed UK, guided the Cameroon managers on budgeting for growth and book keeping, while emphasizing on traceability of income deployed in a project.
The role of information, communication management and technology in NGO management was handled by Julius Nkenganyi, a specialist in IT Social Marketing. He expanded on Microsoft application programmes applicable to project management for good governance and accountability in small and medium size organisations.
There is no doubt that if the FFF Cameroon managers deploy the knowledge and experiences gather during their stay in London, United Kingdom, Cameroon will turn out as winner including the government and local community populations.

S.O.S for Mercy, Twins and Triplets

2008-10-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

The story of Mercy’s twins and triplets
By James Achanyi-Fontem, Cameroon Link
Cameroon Link received Atabong Mercy, 26 years and mother of eight children at its counselling centre in Bonabéri-Douala. Mercy was born on the 3rd December 1982 and she started her marital life at 16 and in eleven years gave birth to eight children, amongst them twins and triplets out of five pregnancies. The first child in the family ZANFACK Gaston and Atabong Mercy was born in 1997 and at 11, DEMEFFO Joshua Stollone is already in college. The second, DEMEFFO Carine was born in 1999 before the twins : DEMEFFO Reine and DEMEFFO Bétanie in 2001. In 2003 DEMEFFO Blessing was delivered before the arrival of the triplets: Demeffo Dani Chama, Demeffo Daniella Chékina and Demeffo Asonganyi Daniel on the 25 August 2007.
We discovered Atabong Mercy and her triplets during an educative talk organized to the documentation centre of Cameroon Link on the 6th August 2008 during open door celebrations of the World Breastfeeding Week. On that sunny day, the triplets were 11 months 19 days old and Mercy brought them to participate at the educative talk organized on the open door occasion. This gave the opportunity for others to listen to Mercy’s testimony on how she successfully breastfed all her children exclusively for six months and above for some of her children.
Atabong Mercy is an exceptional mother because in Cameroon it is often believed that when a woman gives birth to twins and if amongst the babies, there is a boy and a girl, she will no longer give birth to twins during other deliveries. Atabong Mercy crushed this rule by making the exception by deliverin,g triplets. Atabong Mercy is today called "Magni", the traditional title to honour a mother of twins or triplets. Magni needs to be encouraged for her to bring up her children well and give the children equal opportunities like all others. We conducted the interview that follows for Not For Fathers Only, as Atabong Mercy tells the story of her motherhood and the type of assistance she receives from her husband, ZANFACK Gaston.
Question : Hello, Mercy ! You are welcome to the WABA Mother Support Taskforce Newsletter. Can you tell us the story about how you discovered Gaston, your dear husband. How did your relationship start?
Mercy: I met my husband when I was aged of 16 years. I had just obtained my Primary and Elementary School Education Certificate, CEPE. When I discovered Gaston, my going to school stopped because we were in love.
Q: What was your husband at that time?
M: He was a palm wine tapper (vigneur) and he also broke pebbles to sell to those building houses.He also travelled a lot to Nigeria for trading. Gaston had a lot difficulties and problems in his life before bankruptcy when in Nigeria. He finally decided to return to live in the village. This was still not easy for him because people mocked at him lot.
Q: When did you begin to give birth to your children?
M: We had two children when we were in the village : DEMEFFO Joshua Stallone and DEMEFFO Carine. The first was in 1997. We moved to Douala when my husband found a job at the sea port in the economic capital of Cameroon. As a lorry driver, he travelled to the Republic of Congo to distribute products manufactured in Cameroon by their company. It is in Douala that we got our twins: DEMEFFO Reine and DEMEFFO Bétanie. The twins were followed by a girl, DEMEFFO Blessing before the triplets: Demeffo Dani Chama, Demeffo Daniella Chékina and Demeffo Asonganyi Daniel on the 25th August 2007. At that time, my husband had got a new job with PASTA food company.
Q: How did it happen that at your young age of 16 years you decided to get married to Gaston who had no job?
M : He had no job, but we loved ourselves and agreed to stay together as a couple. At the time I knew him, he was a typhoid patient and was very often sick. Looking at his situation, from time to time, I went to tap the palm wine in his place for use to make some money. I also broke pebbles in his place and gathered them to sell. My family in Lebialem opposed my relationship with Gaston. My parents propsed several postulants to me for marriage, but I repelled the proposals though these persons were richer than Gaston. I believed that marry ing someone who is rich does not replace love and happiness. I preferred to remain in the home where God had first chosen for me. With a lot of pressure of my parents, I escaped from our home and left to join Gaston where he was staying in the village.
Q : So, you escaped from your family to join Gaston’s home ?
M : Yes ! I escaped to join him, and it when he got a job that Gaston visited my parents to pay the dowry to my family to legalize our marriage by Cameroon tradition. So, we are married legally.
Q: In what year did you start your dating relationship?
M: We started our love affair in 1996 and I became pregnant, though still very small. Luckily I got my first child in 1997 without a problem and the second in 1999. That is how we continued to create our own family with deliveries between two and three years intervals. The twins were born in 2001 followed by the fourth pregnancy in 2004 before the fifth which brought the triplets in 2007.
Q : When we look at the gaps between your baby deliveries, it is imaged that you had wanted to opt for a good planning family scheme. But your five deliveries that have given eight children. What is your impression after having delivered twins and then triplets ?
M: As mother, I believe that children come from God and I have accepted all my children. They do not get sick very often and I believe that it is God who protects them.
Q : You participated in the educative talk on the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding during first six months of the life of babies. With your multiple deliveries, how did you organize breastfeeding of your children ?
M : All my children have had the privilege to be breastfed exclusively for six month and above for some. During my stay in the village, there was no conflict between the breastmilk and artificial milk because the poor peasant mothers do not have the means to invest on formulae products. We count on our gardens and farms to feed our children and families. I breastfed my first son for seven month exclusively and I gave him all the food we ate at home from the eighth month. He was breastfed for twenty four months even when we complimented with household meals. The others were also breastfed exclusively for six months.
Q:What is your observation when you successfull breastfeed your children ?M: First, they do not cry and I have observed that my children do not fall sick regularly. The first was admitted in college at 11 years and while in primary school he was always amongst the first ten in their class. We have no money, and our children support us by doing well in school. It is when I listened to two programmes on the activities of Cameroon Link on Radio and Television announcing the open door educative talk that i decided to come and participate with a testimony of how i breastfed my twins and triplets. Other mothers in the hall were anxious to carry my babies to feel their weight. Many were very surprised, though happy with what they witnessed about the triplets. My triplets began to move at 11 months. The others moved a little bit earlier at 10 months. But I have to testify that I had a lot problems breastfeeding three children, one after the other. It was necessary for me to eat regular balanced diets and drink a lot water. As the children aged in weeks and months, my breast produced milk, but it was not always enough for the three children if breastfed at the same moment. As I began lossing weight myself, I had to plannify the breastfeeding hours in way to spread the periods with a difference of one hour for each child. This permitted two children to be sleeping when one of them was suckled. It was not easy, but I managed it.
I believed that my breast did not produce enough milk at one point because I worked a lot at home and in the farm. I did not get enough assistance from my family relatives or the community. This is explained by the fact that everyone was engaged in their own farm work and care for their own children and families. This pushed me to wean them at ten months when they started getting up and standing. Another problem is that when children start moving they eat a lot. I need help and assistance for their feeding. Certainly in three years, it would be the problem of sending them to school. This necessitates money. It is for these reasons that I decided to participate at Cameroon Link open door educative talk. In other countries, mothers like us are assisted by the government, but since I started getting my children, the twins and later the triplets, I have received not aid from the government or public as yet. Persons of will good should know this and come to my aid through Cameroon Link.
Q : How did you organize complementary feeding of your children?
M : In the village, we have gardens that produce vegetables, farms for subsistence crops that produce food and we have also a small poultry farm that produces eggs and chickens for the household and for sale. I associate all these items to feed my children. What I sell assists me to give them clothing. I thank God because they are not sick. What I have also observed is that their growth rate decreased when I stopped to breastfeed the triplets. It is important to continue to breastfeed a baby even when he or she has begun to eat others foods. As a baby grows, he or she spends a lot of energy in playing too.
Q : Why did you remain in the village when your husband worked in Douala?
M: I remained in the village because the accommodation was not enough for ou large family. Accommodation in Douala City is very expensive and our family income is not enough. The cost of life in general is very high, especially if we consider the current food market prices. My husband did not get a job rapidly and even what he has currently is temporary occupation. One could therefore not live in Douala with all these children because others needed to continue to go to school. Schooling costs are less expensive to the village.
Q : Your husband is truck driver and his profession keeps him regularly on the move How do you organize to discuss problems related to the children’s care with him ?
M: Our situation is truly difficult. My husband is constantly in search of a better job because he earns only " Eighty Five Thousand Francs CFA (US$ 210) a month as salary. This is very small for a large family of ten persons. This means that each person in our family of the ten lives on US$ 20 only for a month. This is why the absence of my husband from the house does not disturb me a lot. During his multiple trips, we are constantly on the telephone to discuss family problems, because even when he is around during the weekends on Sunday, he is always tired and his does not remain long with us. We cannot do otherwise.
Q: You do not have a job and your husband’s job is not a permanent one with PASTA. How do you arrange to meet up with the basic needs of yours eight children ?
M: As I told you, my husband’s salary is only CFA 85.000 (US$210) a month and this amount is insufficient for our needs. However, through his job as truck driver, he obtains some small favour with financial out comes. This is against professional norms, but he feels obliged to make ends meet, though the high risks. If his supervisors know about his extra activities, he may be dismissed from job.
Q : If a good Samaritan wanted to come to your aid, what will be your priority?
M : As a mother with many children, I wish to be trained at a home economics center, where I can start apprenticeship to become a seamstress, beauty hairdresser or learn any other trade to generate resources or get a job for myself too. In this way, I could be able to assist my husband. I think also of clothing, health and education of my children as a priority. Our aims is to get permanent housing for the family as whole. Finally, I would like to see my husband have a stable job that could assist us to bring up our children well.
Q : Tell us the story of the pregnancy of your triplets?
M: When I went for pre-natal consultation in the hospiatl, the medical doctor made me to understand that I waited twins. At only five months of pregnancy my belly was very large that I understood we had to wait for a second set of twins in the family. I went constantly to the hopital but at one stage I became very tired and never wanted to move anymore. I no longer wanted to return to the hospital and my sister was afraid that I could deliver at home and not in the hospital. The delivery took place in the hospital when my pregnancy was nine months and I was very weak. It was my elder sister persuaded me to go to the hospital. Immediately I arrived, I was taken to the delivery room and the children started coming out one after the other every three minutes. I delivered normally, but we had prepared only for two children and a third come. Each child came after three minutes. The third was wrapped with a napkin and clothes came only later. I thank God because all the children had good weight. I returned to the house three days after my hospitalization in the maternity for post natal follow up.
Q : How are the triplets today?
M: They are all well. The triplets carry do not fall sick regularly. Since we stay in a marshy area of Bonabéri-Douala, they have malaria once in a while. They eat well and sleep well.
Q : If I understand youl, apart from the small sicknesses, they are growing normally ?

M: Yes. They are growing very fast.
Q : Thank you, Mrs. Atabong Mercy for your time and testimony.
M: It is me to thank you for allowing me to express my views and request for help. …

Transnational Relations of Mbororo Migrant Families

2008-10-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

Transnational Relations of Mbororo Migrant Families
By James Achanyi-Fontem
The 2nd General Assembly of the Mbororo migrant network of associations held in Douala recently. Some 200 delegates from the three Northern , East, Centre and Littoral provinces attended the one full day of deliberations on how to promote gender and development for the integration of the Mbororos in national plans.
Associations from the different provinces are grouped under the Mbororo network organisation « SURAMAMA ». Opening the deliberations in the presence of the provincial delegate for the promotion of the woman and the family, Suzanne Patricia Bebe, Team leader Hassan Hamadou, told the delegates that all human beings are equal in the eye of God, irrespective of the political, religious or cultural background. With this, he invited delegates to exchange ideas and make proposals on how to develop strategies for the intergation of the marginalized Mbororo groups in cameroon in national development policies to reduce their migration into other countries.
Suzanne Patricia Bebe lauded the initiative of the Surmama and announced the decision to put the Mbororo women at the centre of celebrations marking the Africa Women’s Day 2008 in Cameroon. She observed that the integration of the Mbororos has been a challenge to the government, because these are people who migrate constantly and do not have birth certificates and do not establish marriage certificates for the establishment of socio-economic development security. They hardly carry identification papers and though composed of very large populations, have a low education rate.
The Provincial delegation for the promotion of the woman and the family joined in the organization of Mother/Father support activities to empower the Cameroon Mbororo woman through existing organized groups like Suramama.
Reports made by the different group leaders from Garoua, Bertoua, Yaounde, Bamenda and Douala approved that alphabetisation of the Mbororo remains a major problem, due to their normadic activities. Their normadic life style does not make them benefit from the common soci-ecnomic and education possibilities granted by the government and international communities.
Women are a target for alphabetisation because this will empower them and assist in the promotion of infant immunisation of Mbororo children between zero and 5 years, encourage HIV/AIDS prevention and promote the fight against malnutrition. Suramama has worked out a collaboration partnership with the provincial delegation for public health and legal organization to prevent violence against women.
A close look at the Mbororo Community structures show that the margin between the man and the woman is very wide. The woman reamins marginalized and uneducated, compared to the opportunities accorded to the man or boy-child. The girl-child is given out to early marriages in exchange of cows as dowry. For every 100 Mbororo in Cameroon, only two have national identity cards.
To reverse the situation, Horé Poulakou, a Mbororo association located in Garoua with over 500 members has engaged in the promotion of the education of the girl child and the established of national identity cards for newly born babies as well as the aged who do not have one.
The General assemmbly organized in Douala was an opportunity to evaluate how far the Mbororo have gone with their self-help integration and development projects with the last five years. Suramama is in its third cycle. The third cycle started with the success story of registration of some 600 Mbororo children in primary schools in the Adamaoua, though the classrooms remain congested, due to the lack of enough classrooms, benches, and teachers.
Suramama partnership with other local association in Cameroon started 6 years ago in the area of capacity building, health promotion of the Mbororos through immunisation campaigns in Ndobo – Bonendale communities, promotion of mother and child care, infant and young child feeding , organisation of educative talks on the importance of child education and the protection of the rights of the mother and the child, promotion of micro-economic activities as a source of women’s empowerment and the promotion of networking of the Mbororo associations.
Addressing the audience at the general assembly, Dr. Michaele Pelican, who lectures at the Department of Social anthropology in the University of Zurich, Switzerland presented a paper on her research studies on Mbororo Muslim migrants from Cameroon in various parts of the world, their experiences with western and islamic educational nteworks as well as with work opportunities in African countries and the Arab world.
Her paper also dealt with the migrants' impact on their home area and their contribution to economic, political, religious and social change. Transnationalism is a relatively new concept in the study of migration, she told the delegates, as it refers to mobility across multiple national borders and to migrants enter1aining regular and sustained contacts with individuals/communities in two or more nation states.
While much research on African migrants has concentrated on migration to the West and the migrants' integration into the host society, the focus of her research on the migrants' relations with their home communities as weil as on the perception of these relations both by migrants' and their relatives and friends at home, narrowed its focus on Mbororor Muslim migrants and their migratory movements within Africa and to the Arab/Muslim world.
Since the Muslim community of Cameroon is ethnically heterogeneous, the research concentrates on the migration trajectories of pastoral Foulbe (Mbororo) and Hausa from northwest Cameroon. Both groups have considerable historical experience of pastoral and trade mobility, and their par1icipation in international migration may be conceptualised as an extension of their "culture of mobility".
Frequently, international mobility is closely linked to labour and urban migration. Moreover, it requires networks of information and facilitation that are mostly found in urban centres. The on-going research will include extended phases of fieldwork both in the home regions of the study communities as well as in the cities of southern Cameroon, Yaoundé and Douala.
As concerns the migration destinations, Gabon, South Africa and Dubai will be considered. The choice of these destinations is based on their popularity among Cameroonian migrants as well as on the comparative opportunities they offer. As a neighbouring country to Cameroon, Gabon supports different types of transnational relations as compared to South Africa where regular mobility to Cameroon requires considerable economic resources. Dubai, on the other hand, allows us to investigate linkages between historical and modern experiences of trade mobility as weil as the possible impact of a Muslim environment on the migrants' transnational relations.
Researchlng transnational migration requires also the researcher's mobility. Due to its multi-sited character, the project is extending over a period of two years (2008-2010) and will involve substantial travel and research within Cameroon (Centre, Littoral, West, Nor1hwest,
Adamaoua. North. Far Nor1h) as well as within Africa (Gabon, South Africa) and Dubai.
Michaele Pelican, better known within the Mbororo environment as Aïshatu, is an anthropologist and post-doctoral researcher . Her other works include research on transformation of the socio-economic situation of Mbororo women in North West Cameroon published in 1996 and the inter-ethnic relations of Mbororo, Hause and Grassfielders in Misaje of North West from 2000 -2002.

Pilot Community Social Health Security Management

2008-10-27T06:47:00.001-07:00

Regional Snap Shot - Cameroon
Gender Focus Training of Stakeholders on Mutual Health Insurance
By Roseline Ajongafac
On the 23rd and 24th October, 2008 the Chairman of the Pilot Community Social Health Security Project of the Health District of Bonassama, James Achanyi-Fontem, presided over the training of staff and executive bureau members on the management of Mutual Health Insurance Schemes. Opening the workshop, James Achanyi-Fontem said, this was an initiative supported by the ministry of public health through the very poor and heavy indebted countries fund of which Cameroon qualified.
The senior supervisor of the project is the director of Association of Partners of Community Social Insurance Systems in Cameroon, APCAS, Jean Keumo. The training took place in the presence of the representative of the Health District Hospital, Dr. Obam Enam, who also coordinates the Red Cross Crescent in Bonaberi-Douala.
The trainers included Ntock Mouhammed, Chair of the Health Solidarity Association (ASSA), Mrs. Ndoutou Toto Caliste and Kom Doleesse. Douala IV Municipality was represented by the 3rd Deputy Mayor, Kammogne Therese, who promised to advocate for support by the councilors through their participation.
The chairperson of the board of directors, James Achanyi-Fontem, said the objectives of activities, included the negotiation of conventions with health facilities in the health districts of Deido and Bonassama after the creation of the insurance scheme stakeholders committees. This new social security system that focuses on gender promotion aims at making health care accessible to all at low cost. The Community Social Health Security System would contribute to the permanent education of the population and circulate up dates on health care and environmental protection possibilities available.
The members were advised to reflect on micro-projects which on realization would assist in raising fund to be directed in durable initiative that would benefit the entire community and the stakeholder. To achieve this, Achanyi-Fontem added, members should collaborate with other organizations with similar objectives through the organization of conferences, workshops, round table debates on health and community education on relevant issues.
The adhesion to the health security scheme should be with distinction of sex or religion, and members should be be good morality. Dr. Obam Enam welcomed the participants at the workshop which took place at the conference and counseling centre of the HIV screening and care unit of the Health District Hospital of Bonassama. He invited the participants to be attentive to the different presentations which fall in line with national health policy of decentralization for community ownership of health care initiatives in Cameroon.
The principal facilitator, Ntock Mouhammed, in the first module talked about the context and present the origin of the initiative of community health security, which leads to everyone having access to adequate care at all times.
Ntock Mouhammed said, the initiative is based on self-help traditional solidarity systems. He added that self-help is based on reciprocal principles, while solidarity aims at extending a hand to the less advantaged groups in the community. When assisting the less advantage, the stakeholders do not expected any other benefits from them as exchange form the aid given.
Self help can be realized in several forms which include, labour, human resource, financial and material assistance because individuals, families and communities are always confronted with births, marriages, diseases, deaths, and so on. Without joined efforts, it is often difficult to properly address the above issues in the African communities.
It would be recalled that Cameroon like other Africsn countries achieved its independence by inheriting health systems which promoted and guaranteed free health care and treatment of its citizens. But the petrol and financial cris of 1980s reversed the situation by making governments incapable of continuing with free treatment due to the lack of resources.
It was during the conception of the Bamako initiative in 1987, that health ministers of the Africa continent found that free health care to the populations was not realistic due to the galloping economies and populations. This led to the putting in place of the new strategy which required the recovery of health care cost from the sick, while the governments took care of infrastructure, management, training and the payment of the salaries of staff.
From the diagnosis of 2001, it became evident that only 15% of population had access to health care in Cameroon. The principal cause identified was the weak or absence of resources, due the the heavy contributions to keep house holds secured through adequate nutrition and spending on health care. At this period, the public treasury became incapable of paying health bills, while guarantees by the public and private enterprises became limited
The solution by the ministry of public health was to initiate two reforms, which touched on the management systems of hospitals and the promotion of self-help community health initiatives by developing mutual health care insurance systems.
The current system promoted is based on solidarity amongst members of a community, participative and functional democracy where the community elects it own leaders by themselves, the liberty to adhere and belong for the promotion of autonomy, the development of the individual, and above all taking responsibility and operating as a not-for-profit mutual organization.
It should be noted that the principle of solidarity remains the basic foundation of mutual health security systems, because every registered member pays a contribution that is independent of personal risk. This contribution is the same for irrespective of age, sex and state of health of the registered member. In the same way, everyone benefits from the same services in case of illness.
This means that the Mutual Health Security scheme installs a solidarity system between the sick and those who are not, whether young or old and even between the different professional categories.
Addressing the issue of managing registration of members, Mrs. Ndoutou Toto Calixte, reiterated that mutual health insurance systems can survive only when the membership is consistent and members pay their contributions regularly. She distributed work tools with all the relevant information for guaranteeing good governance and transparency in the management of dues contributed. These tools included the membership registration form, the register of beneficiaries, the recapitulative sheet of contributions and the register of contributions.
On the other hand, Mrs. Kom Dolesse, emphasized on the use of management principles that guarantee good book keeping of money collected from members. She added that the contributions are needed for the autonomous functioning of the organization and the reimbursement of health bills of its members.
She enumerated the five different types of contributions which include:
Provisional contributions (Budget0
Registered contributions (dues collected in the current year)
Acquired contributions (left-over after spending)
Advanced contributions (payments received in advance of determined period)
Debt collection (owed dues collected as arrears)

The methods of calculating the contributions also differ and put in four categories:
General contributions
Fix semester contribution per family
Fix semester contribution per beneficiary
Contribution per group
Proportional contribution

As concerns the Community health Security Schemes of Bonassama Health District, the members opted for calculations to be done on basis of fix semester or annual contributions per beneficiary. Before closing the first day of deliberations, participants decided on the type of health offers that would be available for all who subscribe to the health security policy.
The goes with the establishment of partnership conventions with the selected health facilities after verification of the rates adopted for health services offered by the facilities. The target of mutual health security schemes is to get health services to all within a community at an affordable rate. Through this system, health coverage is more effective and covers a wide range of diseases very common in the community.
It was recalled again and again that the mutual health security organization is made up of volunteers that share the responsibility of caring for illnesses and other health risks, especially as the participation in contributions is uniform.
From what was said, it became evident that community mutual health security schemes are another excellent channel of developing a country, guaranteeing health, social and economic well being of individuals, families and the community as a whole.
Within the health fr5ame work, this facilitates access to health care, contributes to the amelioration of the quality of health care, increases the rate of health care visits in facilities and reduces auto-medication and use of poorly conserved street hawking drugs and medication.
In the social plan, this assists the populations to organize themselves for ownership of their health care system through jointly finding solutions to problems faced by the community‘s less advantage and poor populations. Since health care becomes cheap, it is accessible to all at the same moment.
This system encourages communities to acquire the spirit of saving to prepare for emergencies. In reducing expenditure on house hold health care through the solidarity health security scheme, everyone wins by paying less the US $ 2 per person each month for health coverage equivalent to US$ 100 per year.

HIV/AIDS AND NUTRITION

2008-10-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

HIV/AIDS AND NUTRITION
By James Achanyi-Fontem

HIV infection not only compromises the nutritional status of infected individuals, but poor nutritional status can affect the progression of the infection. Research to identify nutritional interventions has been undertaken in Africa by the Commonwealth Regional Health Community Secretariat in Africa seeking to:
•review what is known about the clinical and social dimensions of HIV and nutrition
•synthesise current understanding of the role of macro and micro nutrients in HIV
•describe the impact of HIV on nutritional status and the impact of nutritional status on HIV progression and transmission particularly mother-to-child transmission (MCTC)
•highlight important research from Africa
•identify gaps in research and make recommendations.

Epidemiology and social impact
Although the number of infected people is increasing in Cameroon, HIV/AIDS affects a disproportionate number of young women and large number of children. Declining life expectancy and changing population structure are harming economic and social development, including food security, illness and death from AIDS cab profoundly affect a family’s ability to provide adequate food and nutrition for its members, particularly for young children who are already vulnerable.
An estimated 12 million children in Africa have lost one parent or both before the age of 15. This highly vulnerable group is expected to grow dramatically.

Paediatric HIV/AIDS
Infants can acquire HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, at the time of delivery ,or during breastfeeding. If no interventions are in place to prevent mother-to-child transmission, about 5 – 10% of infants will be infected during pregnancy, about 10 – 20 % will become infected during delivery; and another 10 – 20% will become infected fi breastfed to one year or longer.
In these cases, children are more likely to suffer from failure to thrive and low weight-for-age than uninfected children. Disease progression may be more rapid than among children in industrialised countries because of endemic malnutrition, frequent exposure to infectious diseases, and limited access to health care and treatments.
According to the WHO recent clinical approach to diagnosing HIV in children living where testing is not available, the following guidelines suggest that, where three out of seven conditions are present, HIV infection should be suspected. These are the seven conditions:
*two or more chest infections requiring antibiotics (pneumonia) in the past two months
•one or more episodes of persistent diarrhoea or two or more episodes of acute diarrhoea in the past two months
•a patient with tuberculosis
•oral candidacies (thrush)
•enlarged lymph nodes in tow or more sites
•growth faltering (weight curve flat or falling for two consecutive months)
•weight-for-age below the 3rd percentile, using international growth reference standards.

Malnutrition
Malnutrition in its many forms is endemic and measurements of body size indicate protein-energy malnutrition, but micro nutrient malnutrition in its milder forms is not easily recognised. The most commonly reported micro nutrient deficiencies are iron, vitamin A, and iodine.
Deficiencies in other vitamins and minerals are not commonly reported , but occur frequently where diets are lacking in variety and contain few animal products. Malnutrition in children is increasing due to HIV/AIDS and other factors that affect food security , access to health care, and family caring practices. Vitamin A deficiency is widespread, and about 60% of African children under five years , and half of all pregnant women , suffer from anaemia.

The clinical context
Nutritional status affects the progression of HIV disease . Infectious diseases, no matter how mild, influence nutritional status. Conversely nutritional deficiency, if sufficiently severe, will impair resistance to infection.
Infants and young children are frequently malnourished, so the differentiation of HIV malnutrition from other causes is difficult. HIV not only destroys the CD4 cells of the immune system, but also affects the cells of the intestine, brain and other organs.
Infections lead to reduced dietary intake and nutrient absorption, whilst increasing utilisation and excretion of proteins and micro nutrients. The immune system responds to infection by releasing pro-oxidant cytokines, which demand increase demand for and utilisation of anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals.
Oxidative stress occurs when there are not enough antioxidants to form enzymes needed to respond to the pro-oxidant immune response. Oxidative stress may hasten HIV replication and increase production of hormones involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, contributing to further weight loss.

The social context
Quality of life is seriously affected by HIV infection. Weight loss leads to fatigue and decreasing physical activity. Entire families are affected when infected adults cannot work steadily and provide for their dependants, but face increased expense when infected members require medication and continued care.
A common result is food security, which is especially severe in female-headed households and in areas where farming is a primary occupation. Parental death is a frequent precipitating cause of childhood malnutrition.

Weight loss and wasting in HIV/AIDS
The syndrome once known as ‘slim disease’ typically found in AIDS patients is a severe nutritional manifestation of the disease. In earlier stages of HIV infection, weight loss typically follows one of two patterns: slow and progressive weight loss from anorexia and gastrointestinal disturbances, and rapid episodic weight loss from acute infection.

Sometimes overlapping processes cause weight loss and wasting.
1. Reduction in food intake due to physical or psychological factors affecting food availability and nutritional quality, and the side-effects of drugs.
2. Nutrient malabsorption due to frequent diarrhoea and possible damage to intestinal cells by the virus. Fat malabsorption also affects the absorption and utilisation of fat-soluble vitamins (A,E), further compromising nutritional and immune status).
3. Metabolic alterations is also a serious problem. Infection results in increased energy and protein requirements. Furthermore , severe reduction of food intake can cause changes in metabolism, as the body uses up carbohydrate reserves and begins to break down protein to produce glucose, causing muscle – wasting cachexia. This process occurs when skeletal muscle is broken down for proteins required to bind and clear infectious agents.
Malnutrition due to the first two processes may be reduced by treating the immediate source of the problem (other infections) and providing well-tolerated foods to the infected individual, whilst increasing food intake during convalescence.
Weight loss and wasting due to metabolic changes cannot be reversed by feeding alone. Industrialised countries have used expensive appetite stimulants and hormones to treat wasting in AIDS patients. However, a less expensive supplement on weight again appeals to depend upon the stage of the disease. Nutrition supplementation combined with glutamate and antioxidants appears to be effective over a 3-month period .
Other nutritional supplements tested, such as fish oil supplements and high energy-protein drinks, have resulted in improved weight again among some HIV-infected adults. The impact of these supplements on weight again appears to depend upon the stage of the disease. Nutrition supplementation combined with counselling about appropriate diet has had the greatest impact before the onset of chronic secondary infections. Unfortunately, relatively few people in Cameroon learn of their status early in the disease, in time to take preventive actions.

Vitamins and minerals in HIV/AIDS
The table below summarises the role of vitamins and minerals in supporting body functions and the immune system. HIV – infected individuals have decreased absorption, excessive urinary loss, and low blood concentrations of several nutrients.
It is not known if these deficiencies are independent markers of disease progression or whether they are causally related to the worsening symptoms of HIV/AIDS. But low intakes and pre-existing malnutrition are likely to worsen the impact of HIV on immune function.
Metabolic alterations that accompany acute infections
Protein
Increased urinary nitrogen loss
Increased protein turnover
Decreased skeletal muscle protein synthesis
Increased skeletal muscle breakdown
Increased hepatic protein synthesis
Lipid (Fat)
Hypertriglyceridemia
Increased hepatic de novo fatty acid synthesis
Increased hepatic triglyceride esterification
Increased very low-density lipoprotein production
Decreased peripheral lipoprotein lipase activity
Increased adiposity triglyceride lipase
Carbohydrate
Hyperglycaemia
Insulin resistance
Increased peripheral glucose utilisation
Increased gluconeogenesis
These are causally related to the worsening symptoms of HIV/AIDS; But low intakes and pre-existing malnutrition are likely to worsen the impact of HIV on immune function.

Haem iron sources (high absorption) include red meat, liver, fish, poultry , shellfish. Non haem iron sources (low absorption) include eggs, legumes, peanuts, some cereals, and dried fruits.
Vitamin C, haem iron foods and some fermented foods increase non-haem iron absorption. Tea, coffee and some grains and green leafy vegetables (with phytate) decrease non-haem iron absorption.
Calcium
Required for building strong bones and teeth. Important for normal heart and muscle functions, blood clotting and pressure, and immune defences. Milk, yoghurt, cheese, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, dried fish with bones that are eaten, legumes, peas.
Zinc
Important for function of many enzymes. Acts as an anti-oxidant. Involved with making genetic material and proteins, immune reactions, transport of vitamin A, taste perception, wound healing, and sperm production. Meat, fish, poultry, shellfish, whole grain cereals, legumes, peanuts, milk, cheese, yoghurt, vegetables.
Selenium
Acts as an antioxidant together with vitamin E. Prevents the impairing of heart muscles. Meat, eggs, sea food, whole grains, plants grown in selenium rich soil.
Magnesium
Important for building strong bones and teeth, protein synthesis, muscle contraction, transmission of nerve impulses. Nuts, legumes, whole grain cereals, dark green vegetables, sea food
Iodine Ensures the development and the proper functioning of the brain and of the nervous system. Important for growth, development, metabolism Sea food, iodised salt, plant grown in iodine-rich soil.
Micro nutrient deficiencies:
•vary across populations and according to disease stage
•are associated with accelerated progression of the disease
•are predictive of HIV-associated mortality.
Micro nutrient supplementation has thus the potential to be an affordable public health measure.
Selenium deficiency is unusual in most populations of Cameroon. Deficiency impairs the immune system and has been associated with faster HIV progression. Selenium is believed to play an important role in reducing oxidative stress and animal studies suggested that lack of it increases viral pathogenicity.

Micronutrients and Mother-to-Child- transmission (MCTC) of HIV
High viral load due to recent or advanced infection increases the likelihood that HIV will pass on to the baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. If malnutrition –facilitated immune suppression contributes to high viral load, then the risk of MCTC is greater. Some micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy (vitamin A and zinc) result in reduced foetal nutrient stores, which may affect their immune status and subsequently increase their vulnerability to HIV.
In addition, malnutrition during pregnancy may further erode the woman’s immune status and possibly accelerate disease progression. According to studies carried out, breastfeeding mothers with HIV lost more weight and died earlier than those also HIV infected who did not breastfeed.

Interpreting the results
What is known to favour the continuous increase in the HIV figures in Africa than in the industrialised countries could be related to the following views:
•The general level of nutrition is higher in industrialised countries than in Africa. Nutritional interventions may therefore have a greater impact in Africa.
•Most studies of adults in industrialised countries have been among homosexual men and /or drug users. Their diet and health status are likely to be quite different from HIV – infected adults in Africa.
•Most Americans and Europeans are taking anti-retroviral drugs and treatment for secondary infections, including nutritionally fortified foods and supplements. These are not generally available or consumed by Africans. Nutritional interventions have had a positive impact in populations also receiving antiretroviral drugs.

HIV+ and Nutrition Support
Nutrition programmes serving people with HIV/AIDS have significantly increased their quality of life. Programmes addressing the needs of people living with HIV and AIDS can have varied objectives. These objectives will depend on the needs of the population and the stage of HIV disease in individual participants.
For people with HIV but no opportunistic or secondary infections, programmes should focus on building nutrition stores to prevent nutrition deterioration. People with AIDS, at the other end of the spectrum, will require palliative nutrition care.
Specific objectives for nutritional care and support programmes may include:
•improving nutrition, diet and eating habits
•building or replenishing body stores of Micronutrients
•preventing weight loss
•preserving muscle mass
•preventing food borne illness
•preparing for and managing AIDS related symptoms that affect food consumption
•ensuring that nutritious food is available to AIDS-affected families
Nutritional support should be provided within the context of holistic care and people with HIV/AIDS should be allowed to participate in providing programme services .
Components of a holistic care programme include counselling for emotional and psychological stress, physical exercise , health care and treatment of opportunistic infections. Nutritional programmes may include one or more of the following :
•education regarding diet
•safe water , personal hygiene , and food safety
•support for healthy members of family affected by HIV/AIDS
•nutrition supplements , group meals, or food baskets
•home-delivered ready-to-eat foods for AIDS patients

Recommendations for nutrition care
Recommendations vary according to the nutritional status, stage of infection, and level of disease. In the asymptomatic stage, advice will focus on maintaining health and building nutrition stores in the body.
In later stages, advice may shift to address the problems of anorexia, infections causing protein catabolism, and to mitigate the adverse nutritional effects of chronic diarrhoea and other secondary infections.
Nutritional support is more likely to be effective during the early stages of the disease, but this requires early diagnosis and early detection of the disease is rare in Cameroon.
For HIV-positive asymptomatic individuals, a healthy diet that is adequate i terms of energy, protein, fat, and other essential nutrients should be promoted as a key component for positive living, and to prolong the period between HIV infection and the onset of secondary infections attributed to AIDS. Local available foods should be recommended and these should be familiar to all health care providers, and made accessible , along with sources of social support , to families affected by HIV/AIDS.
Nutritional counselling should include information on appropriate diets, taking into account the individual’s particular preferences and needs in terms of age, sex, and physiological state- for example, pregnancy, lactation, engaged in strenuous physical labour and so on.
Even those who are asymptomatic have increased metabolism due to the HIV infection. The potential for increasing nutritional reserves and improving dietary intake are greater when an individual is still relatively healthy. Therefore , programmes should emphasise building nutritional reserves at an early stage.
People with HIV/AIDS should be encouraged to maintain physical activity. Weight –bearing exercise may help build lean body mass. Exercise also stimulates appetite. Counselling should also include discussion on personal hygiene, safety in food preparation and cooking, and emphasise the importance of seeking immediate attention for digestive or other health related problems. Preventing food and water borne infections is especially important in people with compromised immune systems.
HIV-positive individuals experiencing weight loss
Most early weight loss is the result of depressed appetite during secondary infections, particularly diarrhoea. Nutrition advice for managing common conditions and maintaining intake by having more frequent meals, and well liked foods, suggests that intake should be increased during periods of recovery from infection.
All people with HIV/AIDS at whatever stage should be advised against unhealthy lifestyles that include alcohol consumption, tobacco and drug use, and unsafe sexual practices, which increase the risk of infections. They should be advised to have all infections treated immediately and completely, to maintain personal hygiene, and to prevent food contamination at all times.

Recommendations for nutritional support for people with HIV
The advice is similar except that the emphasis shifts from preventing to mitigating the nutritional consequences of the disease and preserving functional independence wherever possible. Preservation of lean body mass is important.
Protein-energy consumption should be maintained and medical recommendation should be followed for specific symptoms. Foods low in insoluble fibre and fat should be avoided to minimise gastro-intestinal discomfort and, during periods of nausea and vomiting, people should be encouraged to eat small snacks.
Fluid intake should be maintained at all times , especially during periods of diarrhoea. Specific eating times should be set and made pleasant and supportive. It should be noted that several medications against opportunistic infections have nutritional consequences or side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
In situation of food insecurity, programmes providing food supplements should insure that rations are of sufficient size to meet the needs of the HIV/AIDS patient and his /her dependants. All family members are extremely vulnerable in this situation.

Nutrition Care for children with HIV
Children with mothers who are HIV-positive are especially vulnerable, as a result of their own infection with HIV or because of the deteriorating health of one or both parents. In this case, recommendations should follow those for all young children but take into account the increased nutritional requirements that accompany the infection.
Children less than 2 years need to be fed patiently and persistently with supervision and love, especially as they are likely to be frequently ill. Solid foods can be introduced gradually in small portions at least three times a day, and by the time they are one year old most children can eat adult diet as long as food is cut or mashed and not too spicy.
Variety and foods containing essential vitamins are a priority – locally available fruits and vegetables, and animal products and fortified food if available. Nutritious snacks between meals can be provided to increase consumption.
The following guidelines are suggested for nutritional management of HIV infected children :
•regular monitoring of weight, growth, and development
•review of child’s diet at every health visit
•immunisation and prophylactic vitamin A supplements
•prompt treatment of any secondary infection and maintenance of food and fluid intake
•for those who are severely malnourished , local guidelines should be followed ; entered or parenteral nutrition should be considered if available.

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO MAXIMIZE FOOD INTAKE DURING AND FOLLOWING COMMON HIV INFECTIONS
Symptom Suggested strategy
Fever and loss of appetite
Drink high energy, high protein liquids and fruit juice
Eat small portions of soft, preferred foods with a pleasing aroma and texture throughout the day
Eat nutritious snacks whenever possible

Sore mouth and throat
Avoid citrus fruits, tomato, and spicy foods
Avoid very sweet foods
Drink high energy, high protein liquids with a straw
Eat foods at room temperature or cooler
Eat thick, smooth foods such as pudding, porridge, mashed potatoes, mashed carrots or other non acidic vegetables and fruits
Nausea and vomiting
Eat small snacks throughout the day and avoid large mealss
Eat crackers, toast, and other plain, dry foods
Avoid foods that have a strong aroma
Drink diluted fruit juices, other liquids, and soup
Eat simple boiled foods, such as porridge, potatoes, beans
Loose bowels
Eat bananas, mashed fruits, soft rice, porridge
Eat smaller meals more often
Eliminate dairy products to see if they are the cause
Decrease high – fat foods
Don’t eat foods with insoluble fibre (“roughage”)
Drink liquids often
Fat malabsorption
Eliminate oils, butter, margarine, and foods that contain or were prepared with them
Eat only lean meats
Eat fruit and vegetables and other low-fat foods
Severe diarrhoea
Drink liquids frequently
Drink oral rehydration solution
Drink diluted juices
Eat bananas, mashed fruits, soft rice, porridge
Fatigue, lethargy
Have someone pre-cook foods to avoid energy and time spent in preparation( care with re-heating)
Eat fresh fruits that don’t require preparation
Eat snack foods often throughout the day
Drink high energy, high protein liquids
Set aside time each day for eating

HIV AND INFANT FEEDING
HIV was first detected in breast milk in the mid-1980s, creating problems as to how to advise HIV-infected mothers on the feeding of their infants. The risk of transmitting HIV through breastfeeding must be balanced against the risks that can result from not breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is near universal in Cameroon, making it hard to conduct studies on the risks of artificial feeding. The lack of data makes it difficult to balance these risks. As at now, HIV prevalence is high and rising in pregnant women in Cameroon, so it is important that guidance should be developed to help reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MCTC). It must be borne in mind that breastfeeding in Cameroon is recommended usually from birth and may continue in most cases to over 24 months, but also that complementary foods are often introduced within the first 3 months of life.
In the resource poor settings, the many benefits of breastfeeding become especially important and the risks associated with the alternatives to breastfeeding also become greater. In developing countries like Cameroon, the high cost and irregular supply of breast milk substitutes, and the lack of safe water to make up such foods, results in higher levels of morbidity and mortality for infants who are not breastfed.
Studies carried in Cameroon by Cameroon Link have found that babies who are not breastfed in the first month of life are six times more likely to die than breastfed babies. The protective effect of breastfeeding declines with age but remains significant for the first 8 months of infancy, and it is greatest among mothers with limited education.
In some district hospitals in Cameroon, for an HIV-infected mother, the decision whether to break with tradition and not breastfeed, or to run the risk of transmitting the virus through breastfeeding, imposes a heavy burden. A woman who does not breastfeed may be stigmatised and others will suspect she has HIV, and there could be many adverse social consequences.
A woman may try to hide her HIV status by breastfeeding but also use artificial feeding in an attempt to reduce the risks to the baby. This , however, exposes her baby to both sets of risks. For now , options for replacement of infant feeds to HIV-positive mothers and children for the first six months are discussed by the UN agencies like UNICEF,WHO, and WHA.
On the other hand, there is information on home-prepared foods for children over this age. These guide are generic and should be locally adapted. Through counselling, they should also be tailored to individual circumstances . Local guidelines are being developed in Cameroon, but little is known about their implementation or effectiveness. What is known is that it is difficult to achieve safe replacement feeding in Cameroon for now.

HIV transmission through breastfeeding
The mechanisms of HIV transmission through breastfeeding are not clear but the virus probably infects the infant through breaches in the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. An improved understanding of how HIV transmission through breastfeeding occurs might make it possible to reduce the transmission risk.
Data suggest that 10 – 20 % of babies born to HIV-positive mothers will become infected through breastfeeding when it continues beyond one year. Several factors associated with increased risk of breastfeeding transmission have been identified. Those for which there is strong evidence of increased risk include:
*high maternal HIV load (found in recent infection and in advanced disease)
•clinical symptoms of advanced disease
•immune deficiency (low CD4 and high CD8 counts)
•duration of breastfeeding
•breastfeeding whilst experiencing mastitis, abscesses, or ripple fissures.

Exclusive breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding defined as breastfeeding without any supplementary food or liquid, is generally recommended for the first 6 months of life. It reduces mortality from diarrhoea and respiratory infections and protects against other diseases. Infants who are breastfed exclusively for at least 3 months have significantly lower HIV transmission at 3 and 6 months compared with infants who received breast milk plus other feeds (“mixed feeding”) within the first 3 months of life.
The rate of transmission in exclusively breastfed infants and infants who were never breastfed were similar , 19,4 % at 6 months. In contrast, 26,1 % of infants who were mixed fed are HIV-positive at this age. At 15 months, 24,7% of babies exclusively breastfed for at least 3 months are HIV-infected , compared with 35,9% of the babies who are mixed fed in the early months of life.

Mastitis
Mastitis is a condition resulting from inadequate or poor drainage of milk from the breast. It may be either infectious or non-infectious in origin. Mastitis affects up to a third of breastfeeding women, usually in the first 3 months after delivery. Some vitamin deficiencies may increase the risk of mastitis.
Mastitis can be treated with low-cost antibiotics. Counselling women about good breastfeeding techniques can help them avoid problems that would cause elevated milk sodium, poor milk drainage and inflammation leading to mastitis, as well as nipple problems which may also increase the risk of HIV transmission.

Antiretroviral drug trials for prevention of MTCT
Short-course , prophylactic Antiretroviral drugs (ARV) are the most effective way to reduce MTCT during pregnancy, labour and delivery, and through breastfeeding during the first days of infant life.
It must also be recognised that ARV protocols require the identification of HIV-positive women through voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services, which need to be expanded in Cameroon.

Recommendations for making breastfeeding safer in the context of HIV
Mothers have a right to information and support so that they can feed their babies safely. They must know their HIV status and they must understand the consequences of each feeding option.
Most of the options for reducing MTCT discussed in this presentation so far only apply to those women who know their HIV status. In Cameroon, however, the vast majority of HIV-infected mothers are unaware of this.
The UN policy is that breastfeeding should be promoted and supported among women who are HIV-negative and those who do not know their HIV status. The following recommendations are therefore made.
•Breastfeeding should begin within 30 minutes of birth
•Breastfeeding skills (Proper position and attachment, how and when to feed the baby ) comfortably) should be established immediately.
•Infants should be fed frequently, ‘on demand’.
•Breastfeeding should be exclusive (no other solids or liquids) for about the first six months.
•Age-appropriate complementary foods should be introduced at 6 months;
•Women at risk of HIV should take steps to avoid infection during the breastfeeding period. (Risk of MTCT is greater immediately after infection because of elevated levels of the virus in the blood).
•Mothers should seek immediate treatment for breast inflammation, cracked nipples or infant mouth sores.
•If such problems occur in one breast only, mothers should express and discard milk from that breast.
These “safer” breastfeeding practices are important for public health programs because they may reduce transmission risks when mothers are:
•unaware of their HIV-status
•HIV-negative but at risk of infection
•HIV-positive but have decided to breastfeed.

Supporting First-time Mother for Breastfeeding Protection and Promotion

2008-10-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

Supporting First-time Mother for Breastfeeding Protection and Promotion
By James Achanyi-Fontem, Coordinator, WABA MWG

The birth of baby sparks a board range of emotions in a woman. Her body and life are disrupted. This is a part of the process of adapting to her baby and learning what motherhood is all about. After the birth of the baby, as it is true during pregnancy and birth, the mother needs the advice or assistance of a professional.
Depression
The mother experiences a sudden change of mood after the baby is born. She is overwhelmed and exhausted. This is normal, if the mother is tired. All first-time mothers experience the blues for brief periods of time. Post-partum blues can last for several hours, several days and even up to two(2) weeks depending on the condition of the mother.
At this moment, it is important for the mother to discuss her feelings with her partner or another loved one. She should contact other mothers or experienced parents. The mother should encourage contact between her skin and that of the baby (skin-to-skin contact) and savour happy moments. This will overcome the difficult moments.
If after doing the above, you are not at ease for several days and even weeks, you are suffering from post-partum depression. Please, it is adviseable to consult a doctor or psychologist. They bring a smile back to the mother’s face and enable them to fully enjoy motherhood.
Importance of Rest
To recover physically and emotionally from childbirth, first-time mothers need plenty of rest. It takes several weeks for her to regain normal energy level. She has to be patient, take care of herself and should not hesitate to seek help when it is needed. The mother should adjust her rest period to the schedule of the baby’s feeling.
At this time, the man should help change the baby’s diaper and carry the baby to the mother to nurse on the baby’s demand. A baby can’t wait. If the man is absent, a family member or friend should help during the first days, so that the mother can rest.
The mother should plan no other activities during the first week after baby’s delivery. This is the period for the initiation of attachment. Mothers need help for up to three weeks for house work care, cooking and caring for other children. Nice babies often wake up their mothers at night and this is a good reason to rest when the baby is at sleep during the day.
Blood Loss
For one or two days after giving birth, blood loss in the mother is abundant than during menstruation. The bleeding then diminishes later and change texture. The colour will change gradually from pinkish to increasingly pale brown. The mother occasionally discharges a blood clot in the morning after urinating or breastfeeding.
An unusual effort and a caesarian section may cause redder, more abundant blood loss. It should be noted that a resumption of bleeding, approximately 10 days after childbirth, stems from the healing of the placenta site. Blood loss usually lasts for 3 to 6 weeks. Mothers are advised not to use tampons, but sanitary napkins without plastic linings, since the linings can be irritating. If the discharges of blood clots are large, consult a doctor or midwife immediately.
Contractions
When nursing the baby, the mother may feel uterine after-pains. To relieve the pain, it is advised that you consult a doctor or mid wife.
Healing Perineum
Mothers may experience a burning sensation when urinating. Mothers should not hesitate to splash warm water on the valves as they urinate. In case of bowel movements, the mothers should relax.
Hygiene
Hygiene is very important. To avoid health problems, mothers take a bath everyday. Mothers should change their sanitary napkins at least every four hours and they should wash their hands after using the toilet each time.
Exercise
Wait for several weeks before undertaking an exercise program to restore the figure. Mothers should avoid overly long walks. If they leave the house, they should know that they will be tired more readily and sometimes suddenly.
Healthy Weight
The mothers should maintain health diets. Within several months at the most, their bodies will exhaust the reserves accumulated during pregnancy. She will be able to resume physical activity gradually two months after giving birth.
The mothers should be patient, because the weight gained in 9 months cannot be eliminated in just a few days. Mothers should resist the temptation to lose weight quickly if she is breastfeeding. It is reasonable to lose 1 to 2 kgs in weight every month after delivery. Mothers should take note that a calorie-reduced diet may curtail the milk production of the mother and lower her energy level.
Sexual Desire
Fatigue, adaptation to parental role, time devoted to baby care, physical or emotional complications and hormonal changes reduce sexual desire in the mother after delivery. Once she has adapted to the situation, she should once again enjoy intimacy and sexual relations with the man.
Couples resume sexual relations several weeks after childbirth. Mothers can wait even longer if their vagina continues to be sensitive. If they are still bleeding or if they are very tired.. It should be noted that during breastfeeding the mother’s baby releases hormones that can prevent her vagina from properly lubricating itself. If need be, she should use a water-based lubricant to facilitate caressing of the genital organ and penetration.
Contraception
Giving birth to children demand a great deal of energy. Mothers are advised to avoid too close pregnancies. Mothers and partners should consult a doctor pr mid wife for family planning assistance. If a woman is not breastfeeding, she should seek advice promptly because ovulation usually resumes between the third and sixth seek after childbirth.
Mothers should not rely solely on breastfeeding to avoid getting pregnant, because it is not a reliable birth control method. Exclusive breastfeeding delays ovulation and can prevent pregnancy by 98 per cent of the time, when the mother has not menstruated or lost blood after the 56th day (8 weeks) following childbirth.
Exclusive breastfeeding is when the infant under 6 months of age is breastfed day and night on demand and the child is not consuming any other milk or foods and is not using a pacifier. At this time, the baby does not sleep more than 6 consecutive hours at night.
Birth Control
When a mother is controlling birth she is advised not to use the conventional contraceptive pill that combines estrogen and progesterone before she has weaned her baby. It reduces milk production. The birth-control pill Micronor (Norethindrone) is a better choice. The doctor or midwife may also suggest progesterone in injections, and when the production of milk decreases, the mother should consult an expert in breastfeeding issues. The natural Billing contraceptive methods and symptom-thermic methods are effective and very satisfactory, but demand attention.
Mother not Breastfeeding Contraception
The methods mentioned here work and are suitable, but the mother may want to take the birth control pill. If possible, she has to wait until the menstruation resumes and the menstrual cycle is re-established normally.
Breastfeeding and Diet
The mother’s diet does not need to be perfect in order to produce quality milk. But the mother must eat properly to re-establish her nutritional reserves after pregnancy and childbirth, in order to avoid exhaustion.
Apart from taking three meals a day, the breastfeeding mother is advised to take several snacks depending on her appetite. Mothers should eat healthy food, fruits, vegetables, muffins, bread, nuts, cheese and yogurt.
Mothers are not required to eat too much, but have to maintain adequate portion sizes as it was in the case during pregnancy. There are four food groups: grain products, vegetables and fruits, and meat and alternatives, and milk products. A mother who eats well or properly, does not need to take vitamins or mineral supplements, even while breastfeeding.
Milk Products
Milk products provide protein and calcium which two nutrients that are very important for breastfeeding.
Fish
Some fish species absorb pollutants, which enter breastmilk and can harm the baby. Mothers should avoid sword fish, shark and fresh or frozen tuna. Other fish like bass, northern pike, walleyed pike, muskellunge, lake trout, lobster tomalley liver, caviar and fish liver should also be avoid.
Water
If a mother’s urine is dark or cloudy, it means that she is not drinking enough water. The mother should drink water, milk, eat fruits or vegetable juice, drink herbal tea and take broth. However, it has been observed that drinking large amounts of water does increase the amount of milk that the breast would produce.
Reminder
It is important to note that some foods alter the taste of milk, but infants adopt with time. However, some babies will react badly to certain foods. When this happens, you should stop eating the foods for several days and then re-introduce later gradually, while monitoring the child’s reaction
Constipation
It is normal not to have a bowel movement for 2 or 3 days after a vaginal birth. It will be between 3 – 5 days for caesarian section. Beyond these periods, expect to have constipation due to the pain stemming from the episiotomy, hormones, lack of activity, dehydration and administered medication.
For more click here: www.waba.org.my Click here to return to home page http://cameroonlink.blogspot.com

First-time Father Initiation for Mother Support

2008-10-22T19:38:00.000-07:00

Men’s Involvement for Breastfeeding Protection and Promotion
James Achanyi-Fontem, Coordinator – WABA MWG
Preparing to become a first-time father and play fatherhood role from the time of the conception of the partner is exciting and means embarking upon a remarkable adventure. The secrets of fatherhood will be revealed to the first-time family head or parent through the activities of this Men’s Initiative web site “Not for Fathers Only”, as many will be expressing their happiness and the pride of fatherhood.
The challenge is that, not enough is said about paternity, as men are relegated to the position of simple providers. It is the role of the men’s initiative to come up with new models of activities to involve husbands and partners for the effective protection and promotion of mother support for breastfeeding.
New Role
Men await their new born babies for a period of nine months. Within this period, men monitor the pregnancies, though a few attend pre-natal lectures with their partners, and only feel the baby move in the womb with sharing the same bed.
When the baby arrives, their lives change dramatically, and their schedules and homes are turned up side down. The men’s initiative aims at eliminating panic during the pregnancy and delivery preparatory fatherhood period.
Caring for Baby
There is no easy formula for becoming a prefect father or parent. The best way is to participate in caring for the baby. What is important is that the father and mother agree on shared values and anticipate results.
Support for family circle
Support from family and friends have value during the period of adaptation. The father should accept offers of help, by delegating household tasks and meal preparations. Men should protect both the couple’s and family’s intimacy when giving help. One has to be different as parent, which is as a father and mother, because parenting is learned day by day.
Feeding the baby together
During the first six (6) months, breastfeeding is by far the best for a baby. Men can play key roles as partners for the mother and child. A breastfeeding mother needs encouragement, especially when she is going through a difficult period.
Men can assist in shopping, cooking and laundry. Men can learn a lot about their babies by changing her diaper, when it is wet, holding her, rocking her, singing to her, bathing her or simply carrying her to the mother for nursing.
Men should learn how to put the babies on their chest to get them to sleep. All children need reassuring, comforting, physical contact with their fathers. Let the children teach the fathers their role. They do not expect you to be prefect, but to be present.
Men at Work
Men’s involvement and participation can make all the difference in women’s lives due to number factors:
1. Men often decide whether a daughter will get married young or have a chance to complete an education. Early marriage can lead to high risk pregnancy.
2. Men play a key role in deciding how many children the couple will have, and when. These decisions can shape the future of the whole family.
3. Men often make financial decisions and some of the decisions can be a matter of life or death.
4. As political, community and religious leaders, men shape public opinion. Their support for women’s health and well being can affect the care that pregnant women receive.
5. In the absence of a vaccine or cure, men’s behaviour is crucial to preventing the spread of HIV. Women are increasingly at risk.
Importance of fatherhood relationship
While the father-child relationship is different from mother-child relationship, it is very important for both girls and boys. A father often establishes special bond with a new born by playing with her. Such bonds become more important over time.
A father provides a model that is different from that of the mother. He likes to play actively with his child, and is usually stricter and often more inclined to encourage the child to explore her environment and search for independence.
This relationship affects interaction between the child and her peers and adults. However, the mother and father must agree on family rules and their application.
Activities
1. Attract attention by inviting politicians and celebrities to make public statements and take a leadership role in promoting men’s involvement in maternal health.
2. Include men in the planning and execution of activities for the promotion and protection of breastfeeding.
3. Organize public contests for posters, essays and plays.
4. Involve men in promoting Gender Equity and Women’s Reproductive Health.
Support the WABA Men’s Initiative by filling the endorsement form at www.waba.org.my/men/and send it to us.Click here to return to the home page http://cameroonlink.blogspot.com

MWG TAKES OFF WITH NEW WABA CYCLE

2008-10-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

MWG TAKES OFF WITH NEW WABA CYCLE
Roseline Ajonglefac , Cameroon Link

The International Coordinator of WABA Men’s initiative received the first men’s special fellowship offer as senior breastfeeding advocate to attend training on in-house policy orientation and participate in the 7th Global Breastfeeding Partners Meeting (GBPM VI) in Penang, Malaysia from September 21 to October 15. The orientation on WABA policy and philosophy took place from 20th September to 6th October 2008, followed by a complimentary feeding and food workshop (7th -8th October and later the Global Breastfeeding Partners Meeting (9th-10th October). Special strategic meetings on how to involve men in all regions took place thereafter with leaders of well established taskforces and working groups.
There was a lot learned from the presentations, group discussions and exchanges in plenary during the sessions. It would be recalled that the orientation training came as a result of the consultation with members of the WABA Men’s, and Gender Working Group, and Mother Support Task Force that led to the appointment of James Achanyi-Fontem as the Coordinator of the Men's Working Group (MWG). The position was formerly held by Co-coordinators, Ray Maseko(Swaziland) and Per Gunner Engblom(Sweden) since October 2006.
After the introduction of what WABA is all about and who are the icons by Julianna Lim Abdullah, WABA Coordinator of information, education and communication, James was treated to several planning meetings with the Co-Directors, Susan Siew and Sarah Amin on the direction of activities.
During these meetings, the co-directors encouraged all the staff and icons to join them in welcoming James to the exciting and challenging role of coordinating the MWG agenda. The Secretariat team, particularly, Julianna, worked with James on various activities successfully during the three-week internship, which resulted to the initiation of a plan of action for the period running from 2008 to 2010. Latsmi Menon who coordinates the Gender Working Group also held meetings to high light the work done by WABA so far and where the men’s working group is to join for the promotion of gender initiatives considered vital for moving breastfeeding protection and promotion one step ahead. Julianna is the liaison person at the WABA Secretariat to support the MWG Coordinator in his efforts.
Policy orientation sessions resulted in defining clear areas of work and collaboration with the different taskforces, working groups and regional core partners and organizations. Some of the areas include:
* continued involvement of men in World Breastfeeding Week and other social mobilization activities;
* joint and/or coordinated advocacy strategies on various key issues (mother support, women and work, HIV, birthing, BFHI, community support and assistance), including through a Rapid Response System;
* increased advocacy to health professionals and around the Doctors’ Initiative and addressing challenges in the medical curricula;
* complementing Core Partner (CP) skills and activities in capacity building/ training, including pre and in-service training and counseling skills;
* increased focus on gender mainstreaming, men and youth outreach and involvement;
* joint development of breastfeeding/IYCF materials and dissemination of such materials;
* continued coordination among the CPs through the annual GBPMs and the Global Forum for breastfeeding promotion scheduled in Quebec, Canada in 2010 and,
* continuation of fellowship programmes at the WABA Secretariat with CPs and network partners.
According to WABA co-directors, prosperity is particularly an important theme as all of us move from one project cycle to another. The new WABA Strategic Plan which runs from 2008 – 2012 was discussed and adopted by members of the steering committee in Penang. The SP has some new programme focus, especially in the area of capacity building and e-activism. This is justified by the fact that, « Not For Fathers Only » e-newsletter will be launched in January 2009 to focus on men’s involvement activities with special focus on the regional snap shots. The MWG will also continue to contribute to the MSTF e-newsletter.
It was obvious from the look of issues during the GBPM that starting from 2007 the WABA Secretariat had been focusing on sowing the harvest for the new cycle and continues to do so by raising new funds for breastfeeding work to continue to meet the challenges.
Some of the key issues of concerns for 2008 and beyond brought up by the GBPM VII and which need addressing by the network at large are:
* corporate globalization and its negative impact on breastfeeding and optimal IYCF;
* commercial complementary and infant feeding ;
* public private partnerships (PPP) - why should the breastfeeding movement be concerned?
* reinvigorating UN initiatives especially the BFHI globally.
All CPs agreed that these issues are of concern and WABA icons developed position papers that were shared with the network representatives from the regions.

Profile of WABA MWG Coordinator

2008-10-17T21:39:00.000-07:00

Coordinator, WABA Men's Working Group

Following a consultation with members of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) Men's, and Gender Working Group, and Mother Support Task Force, the International Secreatariat was pleased to make it public that James Achanyi-Fontem is the Coordinator of the Men's Working Group (MWG) from 2008. This position was formerly held by Co-coordinators, Ray Maseko (Swazliand) and Per Gunner Engblom (Sweden) since Oct 2006.
James Achanyi-Fontem is 53 years of age and is a Health Journalist and Communication Consultant. He is also a father of six children (3 Girls and 3 Boys) and a grand father of three (two boys and one girl). All of them were breastfed. As the first son of his family, he was breastfed for 36 months. His grand children were also exclusively breastfed for the first six months.
He worked as a health journalist and broadcaster for 30 years with the Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV before retiring. He is now the National Coordinator of Cameroon Link, an umbrealla registered charity, not-for-profit organisation, involved in the promotion of, community health, humanitarian assistance, socio-economic development, and human rights advocacy created. He is also the current Chairperson of the Cameroon Breastfeeding Protection and Promotion Task Force, the Mutual Health Insurance Group of Bonassama Health District and Coordinator of the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Health District Hospital of Bonassama. He Coordinates the IBFAN Cameroon Group and Fine Forest Foundation Cameroon activities. He is also the Chairperson of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding. He had held the positions of Editorial Advisor and Editor-in-chief of a some five different national tabloid newspapers and magazines from 1984 to 2004. James has been an active member of the Men’s Initiative, contributing to the Regional Snapshots project and through Cameroon Link. He has done a tremendous amount of work on issues surrounding support and training for fathers and families before his appointment as the Internataional Coordinator of the WABA Men’s Working Group.
Since his appointment, James Achanyi-Fontem has initiated a number of ways to get men involved in the protection and promotion of breastfeeding.
Why Involve Men in Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is an important part of Infant and Young Child Feeding, Reproductive Health and Nutrition. Reproductive Health biologically involves the man and the woman and the attitudes of men towards breastfeeding strongly influence the mother’s own point of view.
Men are generally one important source of support in mother’s decision to breastfeed and in its successful implementation. There is also a positive connection between the degree of men’s support and the total duration of breastfeeding.
A Men’s Involvement in the breastfeeding situation strengthens his relationship to both the mother and the baby, and helps him to develop his fatherhood role in general. Highlighting the father’s role in more general terms like parenting can broaden the argument for mother support, which is beneficial for both and the baby.

Advantages of a Men’s role in Fatherhood
Acclaimed researchers quote several advantages when both the father and mother are active and engaged in child care, compared to when only one is active. For example:
• Children psychological development and social skills are favoured by communication with committed father and mother.
• Men develop their empathic ability during pre-natal and post natal consultations and during this period, women are generally educated and trained on child bearing.
• A more equal division of responsibilities increases the possibilities for both parents to fill many roles within the family complex, which tend to make them more satisfied with their lives.
• Cultures with committed men to child care have reduced hostility and violence against women.
Men’s Role As Gender Issue
Gender is considering masculinity versus feminity, which is a system of continually evolving social practices that define roles, assigns resources and establishes power relations.
From the above observation, gender roles are dynamic, constructed through social interaction, reinforced and reproduced by social institutions. Gender equity and equality work towards a society where women and men have equal opportunities, rights and obligations in all aspects of life. From a gender perspective, how paid work and care giving are combined, reflects assumptions and norms in the gendered situations of family and work.
Gender researcher (Linda Haas and others) claim that as long as women are assumed to be more responsible than men for child care, especially qs women’s role as mothers will continue to be a major obstacle to their achieving economic and social equality with men. Therefore, fathers’ involvement in child care including breastfeeding is clearly a gender issue.
Enabling Men to be Supportive
Men’s Education
Many men need to be better prepared to assume a role as breastfeeding supporter. Studies have shown that breastfeeding education and promotion programmes have effects on knowledge, attitudes and support for breastfeeding. Evidence suggests that even simple and inexpensive interventions can increase the level of breastfeeding knowledge of men.
It is important that men understand what it means for a woman, both physically and psychologically, to go through pregnancy, delivery and start breastfeeding. Well informed men know the importance of being patient and sensitive as the mothers recover from the baby delivery experience and gain confidence in breastfeeding.
By importing the same knowledge and sharing the breastfeeding moments, the man helps the new mother to gain breastfeeding skills. He can also protect her from misinformation about breastfeeding in the community, or even from friends and relatives. Sharing child care and responsibilities of the life strengthens parental relationship in the difficult period of transition and adjustment.
Most preparatory courses for parents are organized at the pre-natal and post natal units of health facilities. The education is generally of a practical nature and focuses on medical factors of pregnancy, baby delivery and breastfeeding. This important forum involves issues of social and individual changes, and creates space for especially men to reflect on their situation and role. By focusing on and activating men, their role strengthens and they get a wider knowledge, more adjusted to their life situation and thus more useful to them.
Many different ways exist to construct a forum for men, where they can get information and discuss parenthood. The right way to trigger the process depends on the interests and needs of the men’s support group created which we aim at. Men’s groups operate differently a few months before baby delivery and differently thereafter. It is generally easier to reach men before baby delivery compared to a few days and weeks after. The period immediately after baby delivery is the time when most decisions about how the baby will be feed and nourished.
The most crucial step is how you invite men to participate in decision making with their partners. The knowledge and experiences of the resource persons during this period of fatherhood counseling reflects the importance of the information, message and the type of the decision that would be taken. It is important to use well known and accepted channels for specific messages.
To reach men, it might be most appropriate that the counselor is a man, because birds of the same feathers fly together. The counseling forum should be able to address other complimentary issues that men would like to discuss. Most women do not talk when men are around and even some men also do not voice their opinions when women are around.
That is why, it is advised to organize separate counseling sessions for men and women, as well as joint session with equal numbers for both target groups.
Men’s Support Groups
Men need support to be supportive. It is a matter of team work and reciprocity. A man that views himself as a subordinate in his own family and plays his role only out of expectation, does not usually give high quality support due to the lack of confidence.
It is important for women to trust their partners to win their confidence. When a man is confident, he obviously joins his partner in child care sharing of responsibilities. The man should be motivated to understand the advantages of spending time with the baby to encourage attachment, as this is beneficial for the well being of the whole family.
Before becoming a first-time mother, women have the advantage of getting information from counselors or health consultants during the pre and post natal period. Men have a right to this counseling opportunity too, but they are not offered these rights in health facilities due to shortages of staff. This explains why, it is not often expected of men to engage in caring for the new born. WABA Men’s Initiative aims at reversing this situation.
Mother often need time and space for relaxation, especially when the baby is anxious or ill. If baby – father attachment had been encouraged immediately after delivery, the man will help out in such situations. This will allow the mother to be able to be alone during her relaxation period, to rest and regain strength without having to worry about the two others. This procedure requires that the mother is willing to have confidence in the father that he will care for the baby well.
It is also know that breastfeeding can sometimes inhibit fathers from developing close relationship with their children and this has a negative effect on parenthood relations. Most often at this time, men feel excluded, jealous and resentful to the detriment of breastfeeding success and to the relationship between the father and the mother. Helping men to find other ways and situations where they can develop a close relationship with their children will be important and necessary. Men need to be offered the knowledge and support to minimize negative effects in the family due to breastfeeding.
Me also sometimes feel neglected and made disassociated by relatives, friends and even the maternity services. Men should be made to feel themselves as parents and not only like baby sitters or child care takers. The maternity services should develop strategies to improve on this relationship between the couple.
Giving the Right Information
Information can, if delivered in a right way influence men and change their views and behaviour. Engaging with family professionals can impact positively on fathers’ negative behaviour and parenting styles, increase their knowledge and understanding of child development, increase their confidence in their parenting skills, and lead to more sensitive and positive parenting and to greater involvement in infant and child care, and in interaction with children.
Men should be encouraged to be present during delivery by their partners. Their presence during delivery seems to have positive effects on the wellbeing of both the mother and the baby. Having the father nearby during the first hour of labour seems to make it easier for mother to successfully initiate breastfeeding and also seems to positively influence the duration of breastfeeding.
Men’s Attitude towards Breastfeeding
Some men have misconception and negative attitudes towards breastfeeding. To overcome these obstacles, issues of breastfeeding need to be discussed with both men and women during pregnancy and childbirth preparation visits. Health professional should make information available to both the father and mother.
The two most common perceptions with negative attitudes of men is the exposure of the mother’s breast and that breastfeeding will make them less attractive. Actually, there is not much knowledge about why some fathers have negative views about breastfeeding. If we knew more about this, better measures would be taken to correct the situation.
As described above, a mother’s perception of her partner’s attitudes towards breastfeeding influences her choice of infant feeding method. However, she is often wrong about this. Scientific research has shown that men may have more favourable attitudes towards breastfeeding than their partners think.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is a common affliction which severely can lower women’s incentive to breastfeed and in other ways cause difficulties to babies’ health. If rightly informed, men can be made to care for the psychological health of their partner, as they are likely to know them rather well and notice if there is some serious trouble arising. If necessary, help can be requested through contact with the local breastfeeding counsellor or health consultant.
First-time Fathers
First-time fathers can be seen as a special risk group. They have a difficult time identifying themselves as fathers and surprisingly enough, health professionals tend to neglect them. With young couples, the quality of the relationship between both seems to be the most important factor for high men’s involvement the months after childbirth. This another argument for involving the importance of parenthood in the information offered at the maternity health care centre by professionals.
Learning about Gender Issues
A men’s relation to breastfeeding aims at improving on the environment and perceptions of what their role should be. Traditionally, caring for children is not an important part of the concept of masculinity, as it is the concept of feminity. Gender issues must be discussed and men’s ideas about masculinity must be challenged.
Just like the mother, fathers need knowledge and incentives to be supportive. Attitudes concerning breastfeeding are influenced from all kinds of sources surrounding the family – relatives, friends, practitioners, legislators – and these attitudes can be linked to values of lifestyle and stereotype gender roles. In perspective, breastfeeding should be a concern, not only for the father, but for all men.
Men’s Initiative Activities
1. Breastfeeding Promotion and protection through information and education
2. Parenting interventions focused on Gender Equality Promotion
3. Organization of capacity building training for health professionals on methods to reach, educate and empowerment men and youths on breastfeeding promotion
4. Prepare course tools for gender equality promotion in the context of breastfeeding to transform Men’s Support Groups into Breastfeeding Advocate.
5. Advocate for maternity legislation for the protection of women and child rights to breastfeeding.
6. Encourage women to let their partners know that they approve of their exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first six months with complimentary feeding thereafter, and continued breastfeeding up to 24 months and above.
7. Advocacy for legislature to give more opportunities to engage more in concerns of home and child care, and mothers should be given the possibilities to engage in bread-winning jobs.
8. Encourage the creation of many Men’s Support Groups, especially for assisting infants in vulnerable life situation.
9. Increase the knowledge of fathers of “newly born”, who do not have all the facts necessary for appropriate and adequate child care.
10. Collect information and snap shots for publication in the e-newsletter « Not for Fathers Only » as exchange channel of experiences and promotion of dialogue.
It is recalled that, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network of individuals and organisations concerned with the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide based on the Innocenti Declarations, the Ten Links for Nurturing the Future and the WHO/UNICEF Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. Its core partners are International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), La Leche League International (LLLI), International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA), Wellstart International and Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM). WABA is in consultative status with UNICEF and an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).
WABA, PO Box 1200, 10850 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: 604-658 4816 Fax: 604-657 2655
Email: waba@streamyx.com
Website:www.waba.org.my