CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Health Department (CHD) and Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) have posed no objection on the proposed ordinance establishing human milk bank (HMB) in the city for the support of women and children in need of breastmilk.
Councilor Alvin Dizon is the author of the proposed ordinance entitled, “Cebu City Human Milk Bank Ordinance”.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted vulnerable groups specifically children, pregnant and lactating mothers, thus their health and nutrition should be prioritized by the Cebu City government through the enactment of this measure,” said Dizon.
Section 3 of the proposed ordinance states that there shall be an established HMB in CCMC and CHD which is a designated facility that collects, screens, processes, store, and dispenses received milk donations from lactating mothers. Its establishment shall be strictly guided with the Department of Health’s Philippine Human Milk Banking Manual of Operations.
Dr. Beth Buenaventura, who represented CHD, said during the city council’s public hearing that the World Health Organization (WHO) cited breastfeeding as one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.
“It cannot be overly emphasized that human breastmilk can significantly decrease childhood mortality and morbidity and that is one of the millennial development goals established by the World Health Organization. As such, we believe in the Cebu City Health Department that this is a very noble and timely endeavor,” said Buenaventura.
Buenaventura said it is noble because it is one of the things needed for the proper development of the children and timely because the pandemic has caused a decrease in the supply of milk.
CHD, however, recommended that medical specialists must be very well-acquainted with human breastmilk processing and storage.
Buenaventura suggested that the city should have a lactation specialist to also to help mothers lactate so that they will not be dependent on the supply of the HMB.
Another recommendation is to tap peer groups on breastfeeding such that they have experience on breastmilk donation processing and storage.
CCMC also expressed its support to the proposed ordinance because according to them, it would help babies whose mother is morbid and cannot physically breastfeed, in so, they need to get breastmilk from other mothers who are willing to donate.
The CCMC and CHD are the implementing agencies of the ordinance and within 30 days after its effectivity, shall prepare the necessary rules and regulations to effectively carry out its provisions.
The HMB shall be composed of health personnel trained and dedicated in the field of human milk banking and lactation management such as medical specialist, nurse, midwife, medical technologist, among others.
Section 6 provides that a Cebu City Human Milk Bank Committee shall be created which shall be chaired by the Mayor to ensure and monitor the implementation of the ordinance and its rules and regulations. — GMR (FREEMAN)