Critical Need For Breastmilk Collection Centres For High-risk Premature Babies

Abstract

Premature babies are very vulnerable and exposed to various life-threatening diseases. World Health Organization reported that many premature babies were saved from morbidity and mortality when they were fed with breastmilk starting from within the first hour after their birth. The rate of premature birth in Malaysia has increased exponentially since 2018—more than 20 percent premature births. Therefore, hospitals should have enough supplies of breastmilk to save the lives of the precious premature babies. However, only one hospital in Malaysia provides supplies of breastmilk on demand. This study employed philosophical method to argue for the establishment of breastmilk collection centre. It examined the concept of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah to justify the proposal of the establishment of breastmilk collection centres in hospitals throughout Malaysia to save the lives, intellects, and progenies of the at-risk premature babies. The primary issues resulting from breastmilk sharing according to Islamic perspective were examined and practical steps were proposed to rectify them. The steps involved obtaining signed consent from wet nurse and her husband; screening of wet nurse’s health and personality characteristics; screening of the breastmilk by the milk collection centre; obtaining signed consent from the premature baby’s parents; feeding breastmilk to the premature baby with the consent of witnesses; meeting between wet nurse and her family and the baby’s parents and family; and completing wet nursing document to be given to the newly formed milk kinship family.