----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 9:17
AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] was I need
to vent!!! now WYETH???
Hi,
For a long time the Maternal and Child health
nurses conference in Victoria have been sponsored by Wyeth. This
year, in my opinion, they made a quantum leap. Wyeth ran the whole
thing - took the registrations etc.
In early September (after a number of letters)
the Australian Breastfeeding Association, Victorian Branch met with the CEO
of the DHS and an advisor to the Minister for Children, Sherryl
Garbutt. Sadly, we were completely stonewalled. There was not a
flicker of the understanding of the situation. We were told that about 500
Maternal and Child health nurses attended - and loved it, and they certainly
wouldn't be stopping the practice anytime soon! Though they are
tendering it out so other companies (formula companies?) have an opportunity
to participate. The people we met with seemed genuinely unable to
distinguish between marketing and philanthropy, and didn't believe that
their nurses would be swayed by promotions like this. (Though there is
plenty of evidence that Doctors and indeed the general public are influenced
by these marketing strategies. And apparently everyone loved the
lunch!
I understand how frustrating it is to feel like
you are complaining and nothing is happening. But it does. For
Instance, last year the Maternal and Child Health nurses conference run by
the Special Interest group of the ANF accepted massive formula co
sponsorship in Melbourne. ABA (and other groups) made representation
to them on this issue. The sponsorship prospectus for the same
conference in Sydney in 2007 clearly explains that formula company
sponsorship is not welcome. Bounty bags have become completely WHO
code compliant - no formula advertising, no toddler milk advertising, no
bottle and teat advertising. Last week the toddler Karicare muck *won*
the parentsjury awards for smoke and mirrors advertising.
I think a copy of your complaint should always
go to your local MP with a request for it to be sent on to Tony Abbott with
a please explain.
Another place to get support and network in to
other people's ideas is on the Australian Breastfeeding Association's
forums. If you go to www.breastfeeding.asn.au and
follow the links you should be able to find it OK,
If people send me their e-mail addresses I can
send the program for the Vic Maternal and Child health nurses
conference
Warm Regards,
Barb
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 8:38
AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] was I need
to vent!!! now WYETH???
Really? Is it really happening re Wyeth
educating M&CH nurses? Aren't there some Vic M&CH nurses on
this list?
I read your email Barb. I complain, and
complain, and complain....call hotlines/email, customer service lines,
magazines etc. They always have an answer. Nothing
changes. Sorry to sound negative. It seems to be as steep a
mountain to climb as the whole birth thing. There is a whole network
of 'lactavists' out there but I see very little difference (if any??)
compared to almost 15 years ago when this was all bought to my attention
:(
Jayne
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006
10:09 AM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] was I need
to vent!!! now WYETH???
While you are at it, you could complain to
the Victorian Office of Children about their decision to keep having
their Maternal and child health nurses educated by Wyeth.
WTF? My jokes about MCHNs being sponsored
by formula companies isn't a joke? Where can I learn more,
Barb?
Janet
