Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months has been shown to reduce child mortality.
When a mother is unable to provide enough milk, the next best substitute is milk donated from other women.
Scientists from the Africa Population Health Research Centre in collaboration with PATH and the Ministry of Health established that even though breast milk donation is still a new concept, 80 per cent of survey participants expressed willingness to donate breast milk to a milk bank while 60 per cent said they would feed their babies on donated milk.
There are valid fears such as HIV transmission and some cultural beliefs concerning this concept. An effective and safe milk bank would ensure donor screening and that the milk is collected, pasteurised and stored appropriately.
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