Uganda gets 1st breast milk bank

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - A breast milk bank has been established in Uganda to help babies who are born prematurely and mothers who are dealing with low milk supply.

The facility at the Saint Francis Nsambya Hospital on the outskirts of Uganda’s capital Kampala is supported by the country's Health Ministry.

The first-of-its-kind facility has garnered the interest of women.

"I am very happy about the development. It will go a long way in saving lives of our babies," said Dorothy Kituyi, a mother of three children.

Dr. Victoria Nakibuuka , a specialist in child diseases, said: "87% of women in Uganda have welcomed the establishment of the breast milk bank and said they are willing to donate their breast milk."

She said donating and storing breast milk is essential to save the lives of babies.

It also helps babies whose mothers died during childbirth, she said.

Dr. Richard Mugahi from the Health Ministry said 180,000 babies in the country are born prematurely every year.