The Human Milk Bank at the University of Ghana Medical Centre is appealing to lactating mothers with excess breast milk to voluntarily donate to help save the lives of premature and vulnerable babies across the country.
According to paediatrician Dr. Ophelia Ganyaglo, donor breast milk has become a critical lifeline for newborns whose mothers are unable to breastfeed due to illness, death, surgery, or low milk production.
The Human Milk Bank, the first of its kind in Ghana, collects, screens, pasteurises, stores, and redistributes donated breast milk to babies in need. The facility officially began operations in November 2025 after months of staff training and operational preparations.
Dr. Ganyaglo disclosed that within six months, the bank had recruited eight donor mothers and supported 15 babies, including premature infants at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and the Suhum Government Hospital.
She described breast milk as “liquid gold,” stressing that it strengthens immunity, supports brain development, protects against infections, and improves survival outcomes for premature babies.
The paediatrician assured the public that strict safety protocols are in place, including screening donor mothers for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis before accepting donations. The milk is also pasteurised and laboratory-tested before distribution.
Dr. Ganyaglo encouraged the public to embrace breast milk donation, explaining that the concept mirrors the traditional practice of wet nursing, but under scientifically controlled conditions.
She identified low public awareness and inadequate funding as major challenges facing the initiative and appealed to lactating mothers, philanthropists, corporate organisations, and development partners to support the programme.
The initiative forms part of efforts to reduce infant mortality and improve neonatal care in Ghana, where over 128,000 babies are born prematurely each year.
