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“The breast milk bank will improve the health and future of premature babies,” the paper reported, citing a dean in North West University in the northern province of the North West.
The bank is newly founded at Potchefstroom Hospital in the North West, jointly sponsored by North West University and the provincial government.
The bank will store the breast milk in plastic bottles and freeze it following collecting from women who have breast milk in excess, and the milk will be donated to premature babies who have no access to breast milk, said Dr Welma Lubba at the hospital.
The doctor said the breast milk is not just food and contains the best and most nutritional value with an additional function of medicine.
The breast milk could act as a lubricant that will keep toxins out by sealing the stomach wall. Premature babies’ intestines are easy to be perforated, the baby expert said.
The breast milk could even save the lives of babies, because some mothers of premature babies cannot not breast-feed immediately, according to the doctor.
Before distribution to other hospitals, the breast milk in the bank should meet a series of requirements, including sterilisation and conducting necessary tests with the aim of detecting HIV/Aids or tuberculosis bacteria or other viruses.
In South Africa, breast milk is regarded as a vital substance, and cannot be sold as this against the law.
Many parents tend to quickly resort to formula milk. However, as it is made from cow’s milk, it is considered unsuitable for premature babies, said the doctor. — Xinhua.
Online Reporter