Pakistan’s first Human Milk Bank initiative suspended after new fatwa, Following the issuance of a new religious edict (fatwa), the Sindh Institute of Child Health & Neonatology (SICHN) has temporarily halted operations of Pakistan’s first Human Milk Bank project. This decision, announced by a spokesperson, comes as they seek additional guidance from Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).
The Human Milk Bank, inaugurated recently by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho in collaboration with UNICEF and the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), aimed to provide Shariah-compliant breast milk to premature babies who require specialized nutrition not readily available from their mothers.
Explaining the project’s purpose, the spokesperson emphasized its critical role in supporting premature infants born at 34 weeks or less and weighing less than 2kg, whose mothers often struggle to produce sufficient milk to meet their nutritional needs. The milk bank was established to mitigate these challenges and reduce the health risks associated with alternative feeding methods.
Addressing concerns, the spokesperson clarified that only milk from Muslim women would be provided, and the service would be offered free of charge to ensure it remains altruistic and non-commercial.
Initially endorsed with conditions by Darululoom Karachi in December 2023, the project encountered a setback following a revised fatwa issued on June 16, prompting SICHN to suspend operations in accordance with updated religious guidance.
The institution remains committed to seeking clarity and further direction from religious authorities before resuming the project, prioritizing adherence to religious principles while addressing critical healthcare needs for vulnerable newborns.
