BREASTMILK SUPPLY AVAILABLE AT A LOCAL MEDICAL CENTRE

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Although introduced in 2004,
the Breastmilk Service Programme of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)
is still unknown to many mothers experiencing breastfeeding problems.

Only 10 to 20 out of the 4,500 mothers who deliver their babies at the
centre each year used the service, said UMMC deputy director Prof Dr Jamiyah
Hassan, who is also the programme's chairman.

Under the year-long programme, babies of mothers lacking breastmilk can
obtain breastmilk from the centre, she said when met at the launch of World
Breastfeeding Week at the centre Wednesday.

"The service is only available to patients of UMMC as there have been
no requests from the public. However, in the event of natural disasters, such as
floods, the hospital will offer breastmilk to babies that do not get enough,"
she said, adding that the supply was from mothers who delivered at the centre
and had an abundance of milk.

"Breastfeeding is the best defence and protection for babies," said Prof
Jamiyah.

On Tuesday, it was reported that a detailed study on setting up a Breastmilk
Sharing Centre to solve the problem of low-milk supply among mothers of
premature babies would be conducted by the Universiti Sains Malaysia
Hospital(HUSM).

Its director Dr Zaidun Kamari said the centre would be able to offer
pre-term babies a lifeline to survive, as "breastmilk is rich in nutrients and
antibodies found in it are vital in preventing infection and problems which
require surgery to correct".

However, the proposal would be fine-tuned and thoroughly studied before
deliberation to ensure that the methods and mechanisms used were in line with
Islamic requirements, he had said.
-- BERNAMA