Breast milk banks to be set up in all seven provinces
Summary
Nepal's Ministry of Health plans to establish breast milk banks in all seven provinces with US funding to support vulnerable newborns and promote exclusive breastfeeding.
Key Points
- The Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal is preparing to set up human breast milk banks in all seven provinces with funding from the United States.
- Currently, breast milk banks operate at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital in Thapathali and BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan.
- Human breast milk is crucial for high-risk newborns, including those whose mothers have died, premature babies, and critically ill infants in NICUs.
- Nepal aims to reduce neonatal mortality from 17 to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030 and increase exclusive breastfeeding rates, which currently stand at approximately 69.7%.
- Exclusive breastfeeding rates vary among provinces, with Lumbini having the highest and Gandaki the lowest rates.
