Human Milk Banking In Nepal: An Initiative To Strengthen Newborn Nutrition

To address the gap in suboptimal breastfeeding practices and limited access to human milk and its challenges to neonatal health outcomes, the country's first Human Milk Bank, "Amrit Kosh," was established at Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital (PMWH) in August 2022. This study presents the experience of its operation, highlighting development, induction, challenges, and future directions for the program. Data were extracted from Human Milk Bank procedure records. Standard quality assurance protocols were followed throughout milk handling and processing, adhering to national guidelines. Of 2859 willing donors, 2820 mothers met eligibility criteria, contributing 1760.35 liters of breast milk. All batches of pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) passed bacteriological screening, ensuring zero contamination, which was dispensed to 3511 neonates. The successful establishment and safe operation of Nepal's first Human Milk Bank demonstrate the feasibility and impact in a resource-limited setting. Future priorities include securing sustainable funding, expanding community engagement, and scaling the model to other facilities. "Amrit Kosh" has provided critical nutrition while enhancing breastfeeding awareness.