Vital donor milk bank closed by bug
Service for premature babies under Brexit threat
‘Bottles sent to donating mothers ’
IRELAND’S only human milk bank has been out of action since February due to the contamination of the liquid donated from women across the island.
The issue has led to concern that a no-deal Brexit could have a serious effect on a vital cross-border resource.
The milk is usually donated from breastfeeding mothers across both jurisdictions in Ireland and is considered to be the best option for premature babies who can’t yet tolerate formula. In many cases, donor milk can be vital.
The change happened when the Fermanagh-based Western Trust’s Human Milk Bank moved from its premises in Irvinestown to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen on January 29.
Routine water testing was carried out in part of the trust’s pasteuriser which returned positive results for pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria associated with pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacteraemia, which can be life threatening.
Any neo-natal units which had received donor milk were told to dispose of it by the trust.
Since the contamination, Irish units have received donations from British-based banks, including the North West Milk Bank in Chester, England.
A spokesperson for the milk bank said: ‘Pasteurisation has ceased whilst essential remedial work is being carried out.
‘The trust can confirm that no milk was supplied to baby units during the relocation period therefore no babies would have come to harm as a result of this issue. The trust is working diligently to achieve the high standards required to recommence this service.’
The new premises in Enniskillen is not yet accepting donations but has begun sending out bottles to donating mothers who will fill the bottles and freeze them before they’re collected and returned to the bank to be processed before being sent out and dispersed to neo-natal units across Ireland. It’s understood the bank will shortly be accepting donations again.
Mothers’ milk is the first choice for all neonates but when it isn’t available or a mother is struggling to produce enough milk, donor human milk is a valid substitute. NUI Maynooth-based anthropologist Dr Tanya Cassidy told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘Up until recently no other banks in Europe offered a cross-border service.
She is concerned over the potential impact it could have on cross-border agreements regarding human milk donation.
Dr Cassidy argues that ‘no border’ is the solution to the risks posed by Brexit to the service.