DOH issues guidelines for human milk banks

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has come out with guidelines for the successful and safe establishment and implementation of human milk banks (HMB).

In a statement, the DOH said the Manual of Operations for HMB will strengthen the promotion of breastfeeding.

“The concept of human milk banking is especially critical in situations when breastfeeding directly from the mother is not possible, such as babies in difficult conditions, sickness or when the mother died,” the DOH said.

The DOH said pasteurized milk is also needed during emergencies.

“It serves to answer a temporary need only until the infant can directly breastfeed from the mother,” the DOH said.

The DOH formulated the manual in coordination with local experts who have experience in human milk banking.

They had set standard guidelines appropriate for the country.

At present, the three pioneers in human milk banking in the country are the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital and the Philippine General Hospital.

They started the HMB in 1996, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

The HMB at the Zamboanga Medical Center and in Bangkal, Makati are now operational, the DOH said.

The DOH has been promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of an infant’s life.

Processed milk or water must not be given to babies in this age group.

Breastmilk has been proven effective in reducing the risk of sepsis or blood infection, diarrhea, pneumonia, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome, skin allergies and asthma among the newborns.

Based on a survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, the increase in exclusive breastfeeding in the Philippines is low.

The survey showed that in 2003, the rate was 29.7 percent, but it rose to 35.9 in 2008 and to 46.7 percent in 2011.