Karachi: The presence of a formula milk company at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) Annual Symposium 2026 has sparked concern among child health advocates and participants, with questions being raised over the promotion of breast milk substitutes at an academic event hosted by a public sector healthcare institution despite legal restrictions on such marketing practices.
The controversy gained further attention after Prof Syed Jamal Raza, Executive Director of the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN), formally wrote to the Executive Director of NICH and the symposium’s organizing committee, seeking an explanation for allowing a formula milk company to establish a promotional stall at the event and alleging that photographs taken during his visit to the exhibition area were later used without his consent in a manner that implied endorsement of the company’s products.
In a detailed letter dated May 22, 2026, Prof Raza expressed what he termed “deep concern and disappointment” over the incident, describing it as inconsistent with public health principles and the legal framework governing the promotion of breast milk substitutes in Sindh.
According to the letter, a commercial formula milk company was permitted to set up a promotional stall during the symposium exhibition, an action that Prof Raza said appeared contrary to the spirit and provisions of the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast-feeding and Child Nutrition Act, which restricts the advertising and promotion of breast milk substitutes within public healthcare institutions.
Prof Jamal Raza stated that he was among the principal architects involved in drafting the Sindh breastfeeding law and had actively defended the legislation before the Sindh High Court.
He added that he is currently involved in proceedings before the Supreme Court of Pakistan concerning petitions filed by infant formula companies challenging aspects of the law.
The SICHN chief further alleged that commercial representatives photographed him during his walkthrough of the exhibition area without informing him of their intentions or seeking his consent. He maintained that the photographs were subsequently circulated in a manner that falsely suggested his endorsement of the company’s products.
In his letter, Prof Raza said the unauthorized use of his photographs had misrepresented his longstanding advocacy for breastfeeding and created difficulties for him in light of ongoing legal proceedings involving the regulation of breast milk substitutes.
He sought a formal clarification from NICH regarding the administrative approval and oversight under which a formula milk company was allowed to exhibit and promote its products at an official academic event held at a public sector child health institution.
The letter also asked organizers to explain what measures would be introduced in future to protect invited guests and dignitaries from unauthorized photography and commercial exploitation during scientific meetings and exhibitions.
In addition, Prof Raza called for immediate remedial action, including a formal disclaimer, withdrawal of the photographs from circulation and accountability for those responsible for their alleged misuse.
The issue has drawn attention because Pakistan’s public health community has long viewed the marketing of breast milk substitutes as a sensitive matter due to its potential impact on breastfeeding practices. Health experts maintain that breastfeeding remains one of the most effective interventions for reducing infant mortality, malnutrition and childhood infections, while aggressive promotion of formula milk can undermine efforts to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates.
Sindh is regarded as having one of the country’s strongest legal frameworks for the protection and promotion of breastfeeding. The Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast-feeding and Child Nutrition Act places restrictions on the advertising, promotion and marketing of breast milk substitutes and seeks to limit commercial influence within healthcare facilities and among health professionals.
Pakistan continues to face scrutiny over the enforcement of regulations governing infant formula marketing. A recent World Health Organization and UNICEF report on the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes highlighted continuing challenges in many countries, including Pakistan, in preventing direct and indirect promotional activities by formula milk manufacturers.
Prof Raza, in his letter, described NICH as an institution that should serve as a sanctuary for child health and a leading advocate of public health regulations.
He said it was deeply concerning that an academic event associated with such an institution had inadvertently provided a promotional platform to a company whose commercial interests were at odds with established public health principles and breastfeeding advocacy efforts.
Officials of NICH and members of the symposium organizing committee could not be reached for comments on the concerns raised in the letter. Their response, if received, will be incorporated in a follow-up report.
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