Hong Kong’s inaugural breast milk bank has supported more than 120 premature or critically ill newborns in its first six months of operation.

As of June 9, the facility has received donations from 230 registered mothers, totaling nearly 900 liters of breast milk.

Operated by the Hospital Authority at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank was launched on Jan 6 to accept donations and began distributing breast milk to those in critical need in March.

During a ceremony on Monday, Hospital Authority Chairman Henry Fan Hung-ling described the milk bank as a milestone in Hong Kong’s neonatal healthcare.

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Fan said the authority has established steering and working groups to ensure the safety and quality of the service.

Strict supervision measures are in place for donor screenings, milk collection, and physician prescriptions.

He thanked all stakeholders involved in establishing the milk bank and encouraged more mothers to become donors and convey hope, love, and care to infants in need.

Secretary for Health Lo Chungmau said the milk bank’s creation demonstrated the government’s commitment to decisive decisionmaking and effective execution.

Proposed in the 2023 Policy Address and established within 18 months with societal cooperation, the facility nearly reached its initial annual target of collecting 1,000 liters of breast milk within just six months.

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Lo said the milk bank is of great importance to premature or critically ill infants, as breast milk’s rich nutrients can boost their immunity and even save lives.

Breast milk is seen as capable of enhancing infants’ immune functions, and is safer for their digestive systems than formula milk is.

It can effectively reduce the risk of severe gastrointestinal problems like necrotizing small intestinal colitis, which is common among babies, especially those born prematurely.

He said the milk bank maintains strict requirements for donors, including blood tests, to ensure safety.

He also praised mothers for caring for their own newborns while also donating to help others. Calling such actions as embodying the spirit of “caring for others’ children as one’s own”, Lo said that every drop of donated milk reflects compassion.

At the ceremony, Yoyo Chan Ho-yiu, a mother of a 13-month-old, shared her donation experience, contributing about 30 milliliters of breast milk.

Upon learning about the milk bank, Chan said she immediately decided to donate, feeling honored to help other babies. She cherished the sense of connection with other mothers and babies.

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Another donor, Lau Yin-fuk, the mother of a premature baby who initially struggled with low milk supply, worked hard to provide optimal nutrition for her child.

Lau was able to generate surplus milk, which later supported other mothers in need. A couple surnamed Tong, whose twin babies were born in March, recounted their emotional experience upon seeing their gaunt infants for the first time.

Their mother’s hormone fluctuations and emotional stress had made milk production difficult, but donated milk nourished their twins.

The parents expressed deep gratitude for the milk bank’s operation, recognizing its crucial role in the babies’ health and well-being.

Contact the writer at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com