Pakistan’s first human milk bank initiative suspended after new fatwa

• The goal is the health and well-being of children, says a spokesman.
• Premature babies are younger than 34 weeks and weigh less than 2 kg, he says.
• Giving premature babies any other milk carries risks: SAFETY.

KARACHI: Following the issuance of a new fatwa (religious edict), the Sindh Institute of Child Health & Neonatology (SICHN) on Friday suspended the human milk bank project – the first such initiative in the country.

In a statement, a SICHN spokesperson said they would approach the Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for further consultation on the matter.

Pakistan’s first Shariah-compliant breast milk bank and early childhood centre were inaugurated a few weeks ago at SICHN by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, together with representatives of UNICEF and Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA).

The aim was to provide breast milk to premature babies who could not receive the necessary nutrition from their mothers.

Speaking about the purpose of the project, the spokesperson said: “The premature babies are 34 weeks or younger than gestation and weigh less than 2 kg. Most mothers who give birth to such babies do not have enough breast milk to meet the children’s nutritional needs.”

The spokesman said the human milk bank was established specifically to meet this challenge.

“Giving premature babies milk other than breast milk puts them at risk of complications, infections and early death. Therefore, to save the lives of these premature babies, it is necessary to give them breast milk,” the official added.

To dispel any doubts about the service, the SICHN representative said that Muslim children would only receive milk from Muslim women. The service would be offered free of charge to dispel the impression of a commercial exchange, the spokesperson added.

In December 2023, Darululoom Karachi issued a fatwa requiring it to provide “the necessary religious approval for the continuation” of the project. “However, a revised fatwa has led us to suspend the functioning of the Human Milk Bank. This decision (of suspension) is in line with the updated religious guidelines,” the official added.

However, a revised fatwa issued by the seminary on June 16 prompted the authorities to suspend the project pending further clarification of the matter.