MEC calls for more human milk banks at hospitals
More KZN health facilities are to offer human milk banking, says KZN health MEC.
IN light of research which shows that adults who were breastfed as children have a lower risk of contracting chronic diseases such as obesity, coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, the KZN Health MEC has announced that more KZN hospitals will soon offer human milk banking services.
MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said the human milk banking services is a way in which the Department is hoping to reduce the under-five child mortality rate in the province.
“Breastfeeding is a natural act that enables a woman to nourish her child and provides protection against certain infections. It remains an important child survival intervention as it benefits infants, mothers and society as a whole. The reported benefits of breastmilk to infants include defence against child infections, malocclusion and an increase in intellect of children, as well as a decrease in the risk of becoming overweight and obese,” he said.
Among the government hospitals that are in the process of attaining Human Milk Banks within the current 2016/2017 financial year are Ladysmith, Bethesda, Dundee and Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospitals. Human milk banking is also available at six satellite Human Milk Banking sites, which includes local sites at Addington and King Edward VIII Hospitals.
The human breast milk is donated to the milk banks by volunteers who live a healthy lifestyle and are not narcotic users. They are screened for diseases such as HIV, Syphilis, TB and Hepatitis B.
The donated human milk is then pasteurised, frozen and offered to vulnerable babies when needed. Vulnerable babies are those who are born prematurely, ill or weigh less than the healthy birth weight expected or either have no mother or a mother struggling to express milk to breastfeed her baby.
MEC Dhlomo said: “As this is Women’s Month, we wish to draw public attention to the many health and economic benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. We also wish to thank all our generous volunteers who donate milk, through the human milk banks. We would also like to call on the public to support women who are breastfeeding and to help lessen the discomfort experienced by some in the workplace and in public. If you see a woman breastfeeding, do not simply stare or make rude remarks. Rather understand that this is a natural act whereby a woman is just nourishing her child.”
