Pakistan's First Human Milk Bank Established

Published from Blogger Prime Android App

Karachi: A Milestone in Maternal and Child HealthIntroduction In a significant stride towards maternal and child health, Pakistan's first Human Milk Bank, accompanied by an Early Childhood Center, has been inaugurated in Korangi, Karachi. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the Government of Sindh and UNICEF, marks crucial development in providing optimal nutrition and care to newborns, particularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

The Shariah-compliant Human Milk Bank was officially inaugurated by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho. This facility aims to support infants who are unable to receive their mother’s milk due to various reasons. It ensures the provision of essential nutrients, antibodies, and protective factors necessary for the growth and development of premature or sick infants.

The primary goal of the Human Milk Bank is to serve hospitalized infants in NICUs by offering donor milk. This milk is crucial for providing optimal nutrition and immunity to vulnerable infants. Additionally, the facility aims to support and educate breastfeeding mothers, promote breastfeeding awareness, and facilitate research on human milk and lactation.

UNICEF Pakistan, represented by Abdullah Fadil at the inauguration, has played a vital role in providing technical and financial support for the establishment of the milk bank. The organization is committed to expanding such facilities to other hospitals across Pakistan, enhancing the reach and impact of this initiative.

During the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Azra Pechuho emphasized the importance of mother's milk, advocating for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant's life. She highlighted the significant health benefits of breastfeeding, which include optimal nutrition and enhanced immunity for newborns.

The establishment of Pakistan's first Human Milk Bank in Karachi is a landmark achievement in the country's healthcare landscape. It underscores a commitment to improving maternal and child health through innovative and culturally sensitive approaches. As the facility begins its operations, it is expected to set a precedent for similar initiatives across the nation, fostering a healthier future for Pakistan's youngest citizens.

Comments

Most Liked Blog Posts from PKN

BSN at College of Nursing NICH: A Success Story Needed to be Replicated in Public Sector Nursing Institutes

By: Shabir Hussain The College of Nursing, National Institute of Child Health (CON-NICH), has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first institute under Health Department Sindh to complete 04-Yr Nursing Degree Program with thumping success. Not only did it complete the course on time, but also excelled in education, training, and professionalism at par with other best nursing colleges of Sindh. It is noteworthy that in 2019, when PNMC,the Federal and Provincial Governments phased out the Three-Year General Nursing Diploma and introduced a four-year degree program, all colleges under provincial government management across the country lagged behind by one year without induction. However, Nursing College NICH stood out, achieving the first admission in year 2020. Their first batch of BSN had achieved a 100% passing rate and commenced one year internship. They are now conducting Evidence-Based seminars on final research papers of the second batch of Semester VIII. The...

From AKU-SONAM to the World: Alumni Leadership Prepares for Mega Union 2024

By: Shabir Hussain It was a refreshing Alumni meeting of incredible leaders with a spiritual aura and blissful sprouting from blissful faces inside the majestic archetecure of AKU-SONAM. The purpose of this sample meeting from the Metropolis called by Out Reach Associate Dean Dr. Rafat Jan was to gauge the impact and status of the Alumni in Pakistan and around the world. Besides the high ups of AKU's Advancement Officials the distinguished professors of AKUSONAM and the Alumn who are in the positions at various Universities and, in the Government sector deliberated on the impact, status and issues faced in the larger society. The Dean Dr. Salima Wallani in her brief presentation encompassed the diffusion of almost 5000 Diploma, Undergraduate, Masters & PhD Alumni who are serving at AKUSONAM , across the 🇵🇰 and continents and, that a significant number of those that have been recognized globally as among the bests in 100 renowned nurses. Dr. Rafat Jan told that m...

Difference Between Post-RN BScN & Generic BSN (Updated 2023)

Are you confused about the terms BSN, BScN, Generic BSN, Post-RN, BS Nursing, and BSc Nursing? We receive many questions about these terms at PKN. This updated post will clarify these terms, especially in the context of recent changes in Pakistan. In short, the Generic BSN is a degree program for individuals who wish to join the nursing profession after 12 years of schooling, while the Post-RN BScN is a degree program for nurses who already have a three-year diploma in nursing. Generic BSN The Generic BSN is an ideal option for those who want to enter the nursing profession in Pakistan. Previously, another option to join the nursing profession was the 3-year diploma in general nursing. However, according to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan's policies, the diploma in nursing was phased out across Pakistan in 2018. The Generic BSN is a 4-year degree program followed by a one-year internship. An internship involves practical nursing practice in a hospital u...

Rehana Elahi: Pakistan’s Oncology Nursing Pioneer and Visionary Leader

By: Shabir Hussain The professional journey of Ms. Rehana Elahi from a Registered Nurse to her existing position as senior leadership at Shaukat Khanam Memorial Hospital and Research Center(SKMH &RC) is an inspirational story of consistency and eventual success in one's impeccable career progress. Known to me as fellow PRN BScN student in Aga Khan University School of Nursing & Midwifery (AKUSONAM) way back in 1995-97, I can still reflect her character and traits as a passionate and focussed learner yet working with team with joyful spirit spirit despite challenging course demands of PRN BScN spearheaded mostly by foreign faculty from Canada and UK then. After a brief service with the Punjab Government, she left for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and then to UK for higher professional education. It was in 2018 that as Director Nursing Sindh I met her in an strategic meeting under Federal Minister MoNHSR&C, where she represented the Prime Minister's ...

New Nurses Uniform by Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (January 2024)

The Pakistan Nursing & Midwifery Council (PNMC) has introduced a new uniform dress code for nurses working in clinical settings across the country. The announcement, in an official letter from the PNMC dated January 31, 2024, stated guidance about professional attire of nursing staff in Pakistan. The new dress code approved during the 6th session of the council held from January 15-17, 2024, under the leadership of Ms. Farzana Zulfiger, President of PNMC, specifies new uniforms for male and female nurses. Female nurses are to wear a dark blue shalwar kameez with a nameplate, accompanied by a white coat and a blue scarf/dupatta. Male nurses are required to wear dark blue scrubs along with a nameplate. Category Uniform Female Nurses Dark blue shalwar kameez with nameplate, white coat or blue scarf/dupatta Male Nurses Dark blue scrubs with nameplate Health Departments across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber P...

The Florence Nightingale Pledge

Courtesy: Sabir Mehno PIMS I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practise my profession faithfully. I shall abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and shall not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I shall do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.

PNC Eligibility Criteria for Faculty Appointment in Nursing Colleges in Pakistan

The Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), ( now called the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council or PNMC ) is the regulatory body for nursing education and practice in Pakistan. PN&MC notified the eligibility criteria for the appointment of faculty members in nursing colleges. The PNMC's notification, which was issued in August 2015 (vide letter number F-11-PNC-admin/2015-723), outlines the minimum qualifications, experience, and publications required for nursing lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors, and professors. In this blog post, we will discuss the eligibility criteria in detail and answer some common questions about them. Q: What are the minimum qualifications required for a Nursing Lecturer position in a college of nursing according to PNMC? A: The minimum qualifications required for a Nursing Lecturer position in a college of nursing are: Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife with Post RN BSN degree (Two years of post-degree experience, prefe...

What is the Nurse-Patient Ratio According to Pakistan Nursing Council?

Understanding the nurse-patient ratio according to the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) is crucial for ensuring proper healthcare standards in hospitals across the country. However, it is important to acknowledge that nurse-patient ratios in many hospitals in Pakistan are currently far lower than the recommended guidelines. In this blog post, we will provide a detailed analysis and breakdown of the official PNC notification on this subject. The official PNC notification on this subject is given below. Official Nurse-Patient Ratio According to Pakistan Nursing Council: The PNC issued a notification (No. PNC F-7-14-Admin/2021/ 3702) on 25th May 2021, outlining the minimum nurse-to-patient ratio for hospitals across Pakistan. The guidelines provided in this notification are as follows: General Hospital Units: In general hospital units, the nurse-to-patient ratio should be 1:3 beds, which means three nurses for every ten beds, with one reliever nurse for e...

Internship Guidelines 2021 by Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council

The Pakistan Nursing Council ( now called the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council or PN&MC ) has introduced internship guidelines 2021 for undergraduate nursing students who have completed four years of college. The internship program must be completed in a PNC recognized hospital, which will offer PNC-specified clinical experiences. During this program, students will have a combination of practical and theoretical experiences that will enable them to acquire competency and experience to perform as an independent nurse. Successful completion of the internship period will result in an internship certificate, and students will be eligible to appear in the licensing examination. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers from these guidelines. What is the nursing internship program in Pakistan? The nursing internship program is a one-year program for nursing students in Pakistan, which is taken after the successful completion of a four-year undergraduate...

SOPs for Managing Nurses’ Monthly Duty Roster Manually

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Managing Nurses’ Duty Roster Version 3 (January 2019) Developed By: Khalil Ahmed Head Nurse, CCU, IH, PIMS, Islamabad Description: The purpose of developing these SOPs was to create uniformity and clarity in the policies regarding nurses’ duty roster. This document has brought the already practised rule into written form. The first version of the SOPs was introduced in Emergency and Accident Center, PIMS in 2014. Further improvements have been brought in the subsequent versions. Constructive feedback would be appreciated. A sample duty roster which incorporates some of these rules is attached. SOPs Rationales 1. Days off available in a month: 1.1. Weekly off: A nurse will be eligible to avail weekly days off equal to the number of Sundays in a month. Because every Sunday is an official day off, therefore, all nurses are eli...

Search This Blog