A growing number of caregivers in Uganda are turning to breast milk donation to save the lives of premature and orphaned babies.

Kampala

Premature and orphaned babies in Uganda are receiving critical support through the donation of breast milk. Caregivers are increasingly turning to these donations to provide life-saving nourishment to infants who are born premature or orphaned. An example is Mercy Balibabwe's child, who was adopted weighing just one kilogram. Following the administration of donated breast milk, the child gained significant weight and was eventually discharged from the hospital.

Globally, prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five, and Uganda is no exception. The absence of breast milk, especially when mothers are incapable of providing it, can prove fatal for many infants. In response, Uganda's health system has employed the use of human milk banks, led by professionals like Dr. Victoria Nakibuka at the largest facility in Kampala. Her facility has served over 300 babies with contributions from more than 500 donors since inception.

Organizations like the Atta Breast Milk Community, launched in 2021, are pivotal in this initiative, having assisted over 650 infants. Donors undergo rigorous screening for infections, including HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, and the donated milk is processed for safety. Despite cultural sensitivities toward shared breast milk, initiatives by local health workers have fostered increased acceptance through education.

The Ugandan government is seeking to expand the program to meet the growing nationwide demand for donated milk. Mercy Balibabwe credits breast milk sharing not merely as a medical intervention but as a lifeline for her adopted daughter.



Breast milk donations in Uganda saves preterm babies

Premature babies in Uganda are getting a fresh chance at survival, with donated breast milk. A growing number of caregivers in Uganda are turning to these donations to save the lives of those born premature and left orphaned. Like Mercy Balibabwe's baby, who weighed just one kilogram, or about two pounds, when she was adopted. Then I started giving the baby the breast milk, and the baby, when it gained 1.5, was able to be discharged from the hospital to go home. Prematurity remains the leading cause of death for children under five globally, and Uganda is no exception. For many of these infants, the lack of access to breast milk, especially when a mother is ill, absent, or unable to produce milk, can be fatal. To address this, Uganda's health system has turned to human milk banks. Neonatal doctor Victoria Nakibuka runs the country's largest facility, based in Kampala. We've been able to serve over 300 babies, and we've had over 500 donors. One of those enterprises working to make breast milk accessible is the Atta Breast Milk Community. Since its launch in 2021, Atta has helped more than 650 infants across Uganda. All donors undergo strict screening for infections, such as HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, and the milk is processed to ensure safety. The idea of shared breast milk remains culturally sensitive, and deep-rooted fears fuel resistance in parts of Uganda. But research by UNICEF shows that acceptance rose significantly when local health workers explained the purpose behind milk sharing. The main thing is proper education of the communities, and then some of these cultural barriers can be overcome. The Ugandan government is now taking steps to scale up the initiative, to meet rising demand for donated milk nationwide. For Balibabwe and her adopted daughter, breast milk sharing was not just a medical solution. It was a gift of survival.

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