BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ

While the idea of initiating Human Milk Banks (HMBs) is considered a forward step in the right direction, there are misconceptions, religious concerns and a lack of awareness as it is relatively new in Malaysia.

Malaysian parents recognise the health benefits of breast milk for infants. But many women are unaware of the purpose and benefits of HMBs, often confusing them with informal milk sharing among relatives or friends.

In a cross sectional study done last year surveying 367 participants to assess the acceptance of HMBs, 279 new mothers were willing to use milk from known donors while 88 were not. For unknown donors, 93 were willing and 274 were not.

With regards to donations, 331 participants were willing to donate milk to known recipients while 36 were not. For unknown recipients, 191 participants in the survey were willing to donate and 176 were not.

However, HMBs involve stringent procedures and protocols to ensure the safety and quality of donor milk. The protocols include donor recruitment, milk collection, storage, pasteurization and microbial testing.

But the drawbacks to HMBs include milk kinship, safety, cultural mores and religious beliefs which significantly influence attitudes towards HMBs in Malaysia and many Muslim majority countries around the world.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher