For our 2022 MILK campaign, Dr Kirsty Sword Gusmão and Dr Magdalena Whoolery joined Alola Australia board member Jacky Mandelbaum for an online conversation about the dangerous influence of milk formula companies in Timor-Leste. You can catch up on the recording of the webinar below.

On Kirsty’s recent visit to Timor-Leste, she was shocked to see the abundance of formula milks being marketed and sold in local supermarkets. A recent report from UNICEF and the World Health Organisation highlights that, throughout the world, formula milk marketing continues to be ‘pervasive, personalised and powerful’.

Global rates of breastfeeding, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, have improved modestly over the last 20 years, while sales of formula milk have almost doubled in roughly the same time. Meanwhile, in Timor-Leste, child malnutrition and stunting continue to be a significant concern, with nearly 50% of children showing stunting, impeding their opportunities for optimal growth and development. Decades of research show that breastfeeding, where it is possible, is the best possible source of nutrition for babies and supports the health of mothers.

Kirsty and Magdalena discuss these important issues and share with you the important work that Fundasaun Alola is undertaking to support better infant nutrition in Timor-Leste and promote exclusive breastfeeding to new mothers. You can support the work of Fundasaun Alola’s Maternal Child Health Program by making a donation here.