Commentary: The Feasibility of a Human Milk Bank in Kerala State, India

Abstract

Donated Human Milk Banking is a trending topic in healthcare management and has potential for business development opportunities at hospitals and independent organisations in developing countries. A preliminary definition of a Human Milk Bank "is a service established to recruit breast milk donors, collect donated milk, and then process, screen, store, and distribute the milk to meet infants' specific needs for optimal health". Although there are indications about the beginning of such practices date back to the 2001's, private sector human milk banking has gained momentum in terms of popularity and acceptability. There is evidence of the presence of human milk banks in the USA during the 1990's, which potential was affected by the development of specialty formulas, safety issues linked with viral transmission, and lack of credible clinical research in this area. However, recent developments in clinical studies, government cooperation with medical research centres and health authorities have shown considerable improvement in the public view of Human Milk Bank's creating a positive climate for private sector provision.