The presence of a formula milk company at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) Annual Symposium 2026 has triggered concern among child health experts, with questions being raised over the display and promotion of breast milk substitutes at an academic event hosted by a public sector healthcare institution despite restrictions under Sindh’s breastfeeding law.
The issue came to the fore after Prof Syed Jamal Raza, Executive Director of the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN), wrote to the Executive Director of NICH and the symposium organising committee seeking an explanation for allowing a formula milk company to set up a promotional stall at the event.
In a letter dated May 22, 2026, Prof Jamal Raza expressed concern over what he described as a possible violation of the spirit and provisions of the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast-feeding and Child Nutrition Act, which restricts the promotion and marketing of breast milk substitutes in public healthcare institutions.
He also raised concerns over the use of photographs taken during his visit to the exhibition area, alleging that images captured at the stall were later circulated without his consent in a manner that could be interpreted as an endorsement of the company’s products.
Prof Jamal Raza noted that he was among those involved in drafting Sindh’s breastfeeding legislation and had defended the law before the Sindh High Court. He added that he is currently engaged in proceedings before the Supreme Court in cases involving challenges to the regulation of breast milk substitutes.
According to the letter, the unauthorised circulation of the photographs had the potential to misrepresent his longstanding advocacy for breastfeeding and create difficulties in the context of ongoing legal proceedings related to formula milk regulation.
He sought clarification from NICH regarding the approval process under which the company was permitted to participate in the symposium exhibition and requested details of safeguards in place to prevent unauthorised photography and commercial use of images involving invited guests and speakers.
Prof Raza also called for remedial measures, including withdrawal of the photographs from circulation, issuance of an appropriate clarification and accountability for those responsible for their alleged misuse.
The issue has attracted attention within the public health community because breastfeeding promotion and regulation of breast milk substitutes remain sensitive public health issues in Pakistan. Health experts maintain that exclusive breastfeeding is one of the most effective interventions for reducing infant mortality, malnutrition and childhood infections.
Sindh has one of the country’s most comprehensive legal frameworks governing the promotion of breast milk substitutes. The law places restrictions on advertising, promotion and marketing practices involving infant formula products and seeks to limit commercial influence within healthcare facilities and among health professionals.
The controversy also comes at a time when Pakistan continues to face scrutiny regarding enforcement of regulations governing formula milk marketing. Recent assessments by international health agencies have highlighted continuing challenges in preventing direct and indirect promotional activities by manufacturers of breast milk substitutes.
In his letter, Prof Raza described NICH as a leading child health institution that should uphold public health principles and breastfeeding promotion. He said it was important that scientific events organised by public healthcare institutions remain fully aligned with laws and policies aimed at protecting and promoting breastfeeding. Officials of NICH and members of the symposium organising committee could not be reached for comment on the concerns raised in the letter.
