The first breast milk bank in Hanoi goes into operation

On March 22, at the National Children’s Hospital, the Breast Milk Bank was officially opened after 4 months of trial operation. This is also the first breast milk bank in Hanoi and the first breast milk bank in the country to be set up and operated at a pediatric specialist hospital.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien, Director of the National Children’s Hospital, said that pasteurized breast milk is considered a special medicine that enhances the survival ability of critically ill infants who cannot yet breastfeed. treatment at the hospital. “According to research, pasteurized breast milk is used as a temporary substitute for natural breast milk, reducing the risk of late neonatal infection by 19% in vulnerable, low-birth-weight infants within the first 28 days of life, reducing the length of time spent in bed. hospital for 15 days and reduce the time of intravenous nutrition up to 10 days compared with using formula milk,” Assoc.

Therefore, the establishment of the Breast Milk Bank will help more than one thousand premature, low birth weight and pathological children being treated at the National Children’s Hospital to enjoy the full benefits of breast milk.

“In the coming time, the Breast Milk Bank can increase its operational capacity, supply pasteurized breast milk to hospitals in Hanoi and the Red River Delta, so that children with low birth weight, preterm birth, pathological diseases can be treated with the same amount of milk as possible. have access to milk like this special medicine,” said the director of the National Children’s Hospital.

According to Ths.BS Dinh Anh Tuan, Deputy Director, Department Health Mothers-Children, Ministry of Health: “The operating procedures for breast milk banks in Vietnam are built on international best practices, which are clearly defined in the Technical and Professional Guidelines established by the Ministry of Health. and operate the Human Milk Bank of the Ministry of Health, including steps to test donated breast milk before and after pasteurization to ensure absolute safety for babies when used. ensure health requirements, including performing periodic blood tests”.

BSCK2 Le Thi Ha, Director of the Neonatal Center of the National Children’s Hospital, said that after four months of operation, the Central Children’s Hospital Breast Milk Bank has received 600 liters of donated breast milk from 38 mothers – the Pregnant women whose children are being treated at the hospital, provided breast milk after pasteurization for 280 children, of which 62 were infected. Covid-19 or have a mother infected with Covid-19 who is seriously ill and unable to breastfeed.

At the event, Mr. Seán Farrell, Representative of the Development Cooperation Program, Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam shared: “Ireland is proud to support the establishment of a network of breast milk banks in Vietnam, providing life opportunities. and improve the nutritional status of children born prematurely, with low birth weight, with disease, infected with Covid-19 – who are the most disadvantaged in society.

He also shared his gratitude, honoring the mothers who donated milk and the staff of the Breast Milk Bank at the National Children’s Hospital as well as at other breast milk banks across the country who silently brought miracles. for infants and children who lack breast milk.