AIA News

KARACHI (AIA) The Sindh Institute of Child Health & Neonatology (SICHN) announced on Friday the suspension of its Human Milk Bank project—the country’s first such initiative, following the issuance of a new fatwa (religious edict).

In a statement, a SICHN spokesperson said the institute would consult further guidance from Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) over this matter.

Pakistan’s first Shariah-compliant Human Milk Bank and Early Childhood Centre at SICHN was inaugurated a few weeks ago by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, along with officials from UNICEF and the Pakistan Paediatric Association (PPA).

The initiative was intended to provide breast milk to premature babies who could not receive sufficient nutrition from their mothers.

“The premature babies, born at 34 weeks or less gestation weighing less than 2 kg of weight, often have mothers who could not produce enough breast milk to meet their nutritional needs,” explained the SICHN spokesperson.

The human milk bank was established to particularly deal with this challenge, he added.

“Providing these premature babies with milk other than breast milk exposes them to the risk of complications, infections, and early death. Therefore, to save their lives it is necessary to provide them breast milk,” stated the official.

Clarifying doubts about the service, the SICHN official emphasized that Muslim children would be provided milk only from Muslim women, and the service would be free of charge, countering any impression of commercial exchange.

“In December 2023, Darul Uloom Karachi issued a fatwa with preconditions, providing the necessary religious endorsement to proceed with the project. However, a revised fatwa has prompted us to pause the Human Milk Bank’s operation. This decision complies with the updated religious guidance,” the official added.

The revised fatwa, issued by the seminary on June 16, has prompted the authorities to suspend the project until further guidance on the matter.