By Chito Chavez
The Quezon City government is determined to promote human milk donations in the city in this third quarter to benefit more infants in dire need of this nourishment.
Quezon City Human Milk Bank (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
Quezon City Human Milk Bank (QCHMB) head Dr. Shahani Duque said the agency was in the midst of drafting measures that will raise awareness, and increase the number of qualified milk donors.
“More than 550 lactating mothers donated milk from April to June this year,’’ the QCHMB said.
However, the QCHMB noted only 80 percent (49, 680 ml) of the total 63,485 milliliters (ml) of milk donated passed the pasteurization test.
“About 13,800 ml were found to be infected and were discarded,’’ Duque said.
Duque stressed the importance of screening donor mothers to ensure they are not infected with HIV, Hepatitis B and other diseases that may be passed through breast milk.
To recall the QCHMB held a Milk Letting Activity on July 15 as part of its objective to raise the number of donors and qualified milk donations.
Duque said the Novaliches District Hospital (NDH) will hold a milk letting activity on August 5 in celebration of Breastfeeding Month.