Re: Provision of free milk powder to the AIDS affected children in HP

November 7, 2007

Dear Moderator,

I am afraid, I cannot share the enthusaism of the author at this piece of news.

(Himachal Pradesh SACS is providing free milk to the children of the infected

mothers upto the age of one year through Chief Medical Offiecrs)

Whilst breast feeding for 6 months can lead to a 5% transmission risk which

rises to 14% with prolonged feeding, the fact is that formula that is not given

safely can make a baby very sick. The risks of transmission of HIV through

breastfeeding is less than the risk of illnesses caused by not receiving

breastmilk.

In the last 20 years up to 1.7 million children have contracted HIV through

breastfeeding but 30 million children have died because they were not breastfed

(UNICEF data). This is because though formula feeding may appear to be the

obvious choice for preventing HIV transmission, it's not easy to use.

According to the WHO, formula fed babies in developing countries are six times

more likely to die from diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections than

breast-fed babies.In developing countries where many do not have access to clean

water, HIV-positive women are advised to breast feed their babies to protect

them from the health problems related to formula feeding. Further, many mothers

mix feed their babies due to economic and social constraints. Mixed feeding is

particularly dangerous.

Along with the milk powder, mothers would need access to clean water, cooking

fuel and knowledge about how to make safe formula feeds.

Sincerely,

Dr Deepak Batura

Faculty member

Wockhardt HMI HIV/AIDS Education and Research Foundation (WHARF)

e-mail: <d_batura@...>

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