Ukraine at the CRC: The International code is violated in health facilities + very few hospitals are baby friendly.

The government of Ukraine presented its report in front of the Committee on the Rights of the Child on January 28^th 2011.

According to the government delegation, the promotion of breastfeeding is a very important element of the national health program. It is one of the key measures that are being taken to prevent child and infant mortality. The program on breastfeeding has existed in the last 10 years, the government representative said, however only 15% of children are born in baby friendly hospitals.

Committee members were very concerned by insufficient baby friendly medical facilities in Ukraine and they raised concerns over the lack of proper medical training to assist mothers during and after birth.  

The Committee chairperson also raised a concern over evidence of violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes in Ukrainian health facilities. The government delegation responded insufficiently by acknowledging this problem. They said that all measures have been taken in this regard, however violations continue- as the chairperson pointed out.