Campaign wants to increase by 5% breast milk donation in the country

The Ministry of Health launched this Thursday (18) the National Human Milk Donation Campaign, with the goal of expanding by 5%, in 2023, the supply of breast milk to premature or low birth weight babies hospitalized in ICUs and that cannot be breastfed by their mothers. With this percentage, it will be possible to meet at least 60% of the demand for human milk, equivalent to 245.7 thousand liters. Currently, 55% of premature or low birth weight babies receive human milk. In 2022, 234,000 liters of milk were collected, which fed 222,000 newborns. In total, 197,000 women made donations during the period. According to the ministry, human milk reduces by up to 13% the mortality of children under 5 years of age from preventable causes. “An aggravating factor is that milk bank stocks tend to drop during school holidays or long holidays. Historically, the first months of the year have the lowest number of donations. Therefore, the importance of the campaign being carried out in the first semester. This action cannot end with the campaign”, explained Sônia Venâncio, coordinator of Child and Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Health. Coordinator of the Human Milk Bank Global Network, João Aprígio, participates in the Launch of the National Campaign to Encourage Breast Milk Donation. Photo: Wilson Dias/Agência Brasil The coordinator added that human milk reduces the hospitalization time of premature and low-weight newborns, the risk of infections in hospitals and the purchase of infant formulas. Another goal is to seek the self-sufficiency of human milk banks in the country. Only the Federal District bank is self-sufficient. The campaign marks the National Human Milk Donation Day, celebrated this Friday (19). Brazil is the country with the largest network of human milk banks in the world, with 227 units and 240 collection points spread across all states, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to collecting, processing and distributing milk, the banks and posts offer assistance to women in the practice of breastfeeding. How to donate breast milk The Ministry of Health reinforces that any amount of milk can be donated. A 200 ml pot, for example, serves to feed up to ten premature or low birth weight babies. Every woman who is breastfeeding is a potential donor. You must be in a healthy condition and not be taking medication that interferes with breastfeeding. To find out the location of a human milk bank, just call the number 136 or access the website of the Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks.

Agência Brasil