Government allocates R$40.7 million to human milk banks

The Ministry of Health authorized the transfer of 40.7 million reais to qualify and expand services provided by human milk banks in the country.

The measure is part of the actions for World Breastfeeding Day, celebrated this Friday 1st, which marks the beginning of Golden August, a campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding .

The funds will be allocated to the 226 units of the Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks (RBLH-BR), according to an ordinance published yesterday in the Official Gazette of the Union. Each unit will receive R$180,000 in investments.

With these resources, banks will be able to purchase materials and perform essential services for their operation, such as collection, processing, storage, quality control, and distribution of human milk.

Communication, social mobilization and direct assistance to families actions are also planned.

Inspired by the "golden hour," which symbolizes a newborn's first hour of life with their mother, the Golden August campaign is running in 120 countries. This year, the theme is "Prioritize Breastfeeding , Create Sustainable Support Systems."

Campaign

From August 1st to 7th, the Ministry of Health is running a digital campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and encourage society to create welcoming environments so mothers can breastfeed for longer.

The World Health Organization recommends that breastfeeding be exclusive for up to 6 months and supplemented for up to 2 years or more.

The Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks is an initiative of the Ministry of Health through the Fernandes Figueira Institute, of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IFF/ Fiocruz ).

These units guarantee the supply of human milk to premature or low-birth-weight babies admitted to neonatal units, in addition to offering guidance and support to women during breastfeeding.