The Human Milk Bank at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has called on lactating mothers with excess breast milk to voluntarily donate in order to support premature and vulnerable babies across Ghana.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, paediatrician Ophelia Ganyaglo explained that donated breast milk has become crucial for newborns whose mothers are unable to breastfeed due to illness, surgery, death, or low milk production.
She noted that Ghana’s first Human Milk Bank functions similarly to a blood bank by collecting, screening, pasteurising, storing and redistributing donated breast milk to babies in need.
According to Dr. Ganyaglo, although the milk bank was launched in June 2025, it officially began operations in November 2025 after extensive staff training and preparation.
Within six months of operation, the facility had recruited eight donor mothers who collectively donated about 64 litres of breast milk, helping to feed 15 babies, including premature infants at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital and Suhum Government Hospital.
Dr. Ganyaglo described breast milk as “liquid gold,” stressing that it provides essential nutrients, boosts immunity and significantly improves survival chances for preterm babies.
She assured the public that strict safety protocols are followed, including screening donor mothers for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis before acceptance into the programme.
The donated milk is also hygienically collected, pasteurised and laboratory-tested before being distributed to infants.
Dr. Ganyaglo dismissed misconceptions surrounding breast milk donation, noting that the practice is rooted in traditional wet nursing practices that have existed in Ghanaian communities for generations.
She clarified that the donation programme is entirely voluntary and not profit-driven, adding that donor mothers receive appreciation items such as souvenirs and breast pumps rather than cash payments.
The paediatrician identified low public awareness and inadequate funding as major challenges affecting the sustainability of the milk bank and appealed to mothers, corporate organisations, philanthropists and development partners to support the initiative.
She further expressed hope that more health facilities across Ghana would establish similar milk banks to improve neonatal healthcare nationwide.
The World Health Organisation recommends breast milk as the best source of nutrition for newborns, while pasteurised donor human milk is considered the best alternative when a mother’s own milk is unavailable.
Source: citinews
