PRANGTHONG JITCHAROENKUL
With a possibility of the draft bill which bans "exaggerated" advertisements promoting formula milk coming into effect next year, the Ministry of Public Health expects the breastfeeding rate to rise by at least 50% by 2025.
"If the bill passes, the figure could possibly continue to increase and the target of a rise of at least 50% can become achievable," said Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong, deputy directorgeneral of the ministry's department of health.
Mr Thongchai said the breastfeeding rate, which rose from 12% in 2012 to 23% last year, is still considered poor. The bill would help upgrade Thailand from the lowest rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the Southeast Asian region.
Mr Thongchai, however, insisted the ministry's move did not mean to say formula milk is not beneficial, but its benefits cannot match breast milk.
"Their marketing approach is our main concern," he said.
The deputy director-general said breastfeeding remained the healthiest option which provides numerous nutrients and builds up immunity and brain development for newly born infants. However, formula milk can be used for medical purposes such as children who are ill or in need of special treatment.
"Exceptions can be made case by case," Mr Thongchai said, citing Section 22 of the draft bill, which is now being considered by the National Legislative Assembly for approval before it is forwarded to the prime minister next year.
Another effort, he said, is to extend the period of maternity leave for mothers from three to six months with full payment, which he admitted will not be easy in practice, so mothers can have a longer time to look after infants.
Under Thai labour laws, a mother will be paid in full for only half her 90-day maternity leave. A civil servant may take 150 days of additional leave without pay, but no promotion will be considered for that year.
Fully backing the bill, Borwornsan Jiadumrong, an advertising expert who has monitored formula milk ads in Thailand for many years, revealed the number of advertisements posted online go beyond 200 per month to convince mothers to give up breastfeeding and choose their products instead.
According to a survey by the Thai Breastfeeding Centre Foundation, collected nationwide between 2013 until the present, seven major companies posted about 210 messages with photographs promoting their products online per month.
"The companies often cite that babies fed only by the mother's milk are not receiving enough nutrients - this is simply not true," he said. "The scariest marketing method is via social media because the companies can reach mothers 24/7."