The Quezon City Government formally launched its very first Human Milk Bank at the Quezon City General Hospital and Medical Center (QCGHMC) last March 23, 2015 with the theme “Sharing Milk, Saving Lives”. The Quezon City Human Milk Bank (QCHMB) aims to share human milk to mothers with premature babies and malnourished children. To make this happen, healthy breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to share their own breast milk to save the lives of other children.

The launch was led by City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista, Vice Mayor Josefina G. Belmonte, the City Counselors led by the project proponent, 5th District Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae V. Medalla together with Councilors Dorothy A. Delarmente, Lena Marie P. Juico, Angelica Castelo Daza, QC Health Department personnel, QCGHMC staff, doctors, nurses, nutritionists, sponsors and other stakeholders. NPC Mila V. Federizo of NNC-NCR was represented by Nutrition Officer I Mary Agnes Beatrice R. Menorca.

QCGHMC Director, Dr. Josephina B. Sebundo explained that the QCHMB took them three (3) years to make it a reality. The QCHMB project was a long process that started with the passage of a city ordinance for its creation in 2012, funding support from PCSO which was received in 2013, followed by the bidding process and training of the QCHMB staff, preparation of the HMB room in 2014 until finally, the project was launched in 2015. Mayor Bautista stressed in his message that the project is a collective effort of the city government, the PCSO and other partners and advocates of breastfeeding. According to Mayor Bautista, saving the lives of infants and young children through breastfeeding is a very important investment for the future.

The QCHMB will be operated by doctors, nurses, nursing attendants, and medical technologists. There are 3 ways to help the QCHMB: 1) Be a donor and donate your own breastmilk to the QCHMB or to the seven (7) lying-in centers in Quezon City. A mother has to undergo an interview and screening procedure. Once eligible to donate, the breastfeeding mother can express and donate her breastmilk; 2) Be a benefactor and promote the objectives and projects of QCHMB; and 3) Be a volunteer by educating mothers the importance of breastfeeding and by helping in the delivery of the human milk collected from lying-in centers to QCHMB.

The QCHMB is the second human milk bank operated by an LGU in NCR. Makati City operates the first human milk bank located in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City. (MABRM/MEVF/NNCNCR)