31 July 2010, Hong Kong – More than 1,000 mothers participated in “Hong Kong Breastfeeding Action Day” organised by the Department of Health, Hospital Authority and UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association (BFHIHKA) to create a Hong Kong record. Ms Sophia Kao Ching-chi, JP, Chairperson of Women’s Commission, Dr Shirley Leung, Principal Medical Officer of Family Health Service, Department of Health, and Dr Liu Hing-wing, Deputizing Director (Quality and Safety) of Hospital Authority kicked off the event at Quarry Bay Community Hall this morning. Mrs Yau Chan Hoi Yan, News Editor, News and Business Information, now TV, was present to share her breastfeeding experience. The guests took a group photo with all the participating mother sat the Hall to record the important moment. The press conference for the World Breastfeeding Week 2010 was held afterwards.

This year's theme: “Breastfeeding ~ Just 10 Steps! The Baby-Friendly Way”, commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Innocenti Declaration that called for implementation of the Ten Steps to exclusive breastfeeding in all maternity facilities, which also aims to revitalise activities within health systems, and among healthcare providers and communities to support women to achieve their breastfeeding intentions. More than 1000 mothers had participated in the “Hong Kong Breastfeeding Action Day”, the function was held at Quarry Bay Community Hall, all Obstetric and Paediatric Units of the Hospital Authority, participating maternity units in private hospitals, and two Maternal and Child Health Centres in Lek Yuen and West Kowloon. Mothers also pledged to breastfeed at home / workplaces at the same time today.

Ms. Sophia Kao, JP, called for more baby care rooms to support breastfeeding mothers. She urged for more consideration of mothers’ needs when designing the room. “Gender mainstreaming” principle should be incorporated in the design of the room. For example, using a neutral figure instead of a female figure for the signage of the baby care room, so the husband can help out his wife to take care of the baby in the room. No lock should be installed on doors of baby care rooms so mothers would not be disturbed during breastfeeding to open the doors for others to enter the room. It is also suggested to hang a signage which states “Breastfeeding area for women only” outside the door when mothers are breastfeeding inside.

Ms Sylvia Fung, Chief Manager (Nursing) and Co-chairperson, Hospital Authority Steering Committee on Breastfeeding pointed out that Hospital Authority (HA) stops accepting free infant milk formulae from suppliers since the first of April this year. Moreover, marketing and promotion of infant milk formulae is prohibited in its hospitals. HA also develops measures to improve the breastfeeding environment for mothers, allowing its hospitals to be eligible for accreditation as baby-friendly.

Dr. Patricia Ip, Chairman of BFHIHKA, reported a 1.5% rise in the breastfeeding rate on discharge from hospitals with maternity units in Hong Kong to 75.4% for births in 2009 through her annual World Breastfeeding Week survey. The same survey found that less than 1% of obstetric doctors and 7% of paediatric doctors have received formal training on breastfeeding as prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The corresponding figures for obstetric and paediatric nurses were 64% and 17%, dropping 9% and 25% respectively from last year’s. (2009: The corresponding figures for obstetric and paediatric nurses were 73% and 42%.)

Dr. Ip continued: “Inadequate trained medical professionals remains to be the key issue of breastfeeding in Hong Kong. Only very few doctors, including both obstetric and paediatric, are trained. The situation is worsen by the turnover of doctors. I hope the ‘Ten Steps’ are promoted to all healthcare workers and are fully implemented.”

“The Department of Health is in the process of developing a multi-media e-learning education kit for pregnant and breastfeeding women, obstetricians, paediatricans and family physicians. It aims to equip doctors with necessary knowledge and skills in supporting breastfeeding mothers and managing lactating problems,” said Dr. Rachel Cheng, Senior Medical Officer, Family Health Service. “In addition, the Department has set up a multidisciplinary Taskforce in June 2010 to develop and promote the Hong Kong Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The process will involve all key stakeholders in the community.”

Over 1,000 mothers participated in “Hong Kong Breastfeeding Action Day”. All guests took a group photo with all participated mothers at the Hall to record the important moment.

Mothers breastfeed at the Hall and to show their full support to this meaningful event.

For media enquiries, please contact：
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association Ms. Polly Cheng, Project Officer Tel: 9874 0558/ 2591 0782; Email: bfhi@unicef.org.hk
Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF Ms Simmy Li, Information Officer;Tel: 9464-5609 / 2836-2929;Email: sli@unicef.org.hk