The first human milk bank has been opened at Tu Du Maternity Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on April 4.

The human milk bank has been officially recognised by the Science and Technology Council under the Department of Health after meeting all national and international standards.

Preferred beneficiaries of donated breast milk will be premature infants that weigh less than 1.5kg. Premature infants are more susceptible to dangerous illnesses if they are not breastfed such as intestinal illness and other severe infections.

During the pilot period, 20,280 litres of donated milk was tested and met microbiological standards before and after pasteurisation. 12 infants, who weighed from 750 grammes to 1.7kg and couldn't be breastfed by their mothers, had been given donated milk.

Doctors said the results over the first three to six days were positive.

The Science and Technology Council gave high regards to Tu Du Hospital's efforts and achievements during and after the technology transferring from overseas experts and developing 21 good practice rules at the hospital.

Hanoimoi/Dtinews