Enhancing Breastfeeding Awareness in Belo Horizonte
In the vibrant city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the Municipal Health Secretariat is dedicated to promoting child health actions year-round, with a particular focus on reducing child mortality, especially for premature babies [1]. One of the ways they achieve this is through the collection and distribution of human milk.
Hospital Metropolitano Odilon Behrens (HOB) in Belo Horizonte plays a significant role in this initiative, operating a Human Milk Collection Post to serve hospitalized infants. Any healthy woman breastfeeding and not using medications affecting milk production can become a human milk donor. To do so, you should contact the nearest human milk bank in Belo Horizonte for registration and screening [2].
The process involves an initial health screening to ensure you are eligible to donate. Once approved, you will be guided on how to pump and store milk hygienically, either at home or at the milk bank.
HOB offers support and milk collection for women outside the institution who wish to donate. Collections are made at 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm. The collected milk is stored, undergoes quality control, and is sent to the Odete Valadares Maternity Bank for pasteurization.
The city's Secondary Reference Unit (URS) Saudade serves as Belo Horizonte's Human Milk Collection Post, training health centers to become Human Milk Collection Units (UCLH). Currently, there are 15 such units in Belo Horizonte [1].
To find a health unit equipped as a UCLH, visit one of the 15 units in Belo Horizonte. Health Family teams also visit donors' homes weekly in Belo Horizonte to collect milk.
To donate human milk, present your ID and prenatal record with examination results. Inquiries about human milk donation can be directed to [email protected].
Brazil's extensive network of 222 human milk banks and 217 collection points, including those in Belo Horizonte, helps donors easily contribute to preterm and ill infants in need [1]. For more information or to get in touch, visit a UCLH, contact (31) 3277-7796, or visit the website [2].
[1] Source: https://www.pbh.gov.br/saudacao-da-mulher/leit-mil-humana
[2] Source: https://www.hospitalhob.com.br/noticias/banco-de-leite-humano-da-hospital-odilon-behrens-recebe-mil-quinto-mil-litros-do-leite-humano
- The Municipal Health Secretariat in Belo Horizonte focuses on promoting child health actions, particularly for premature babies, and one of their methods is the collection and distribution of human milk.
- Hospital Metropolitano Odilon Behrens (HOB) operates a Human Milk Collection Post, where eligible women can donate milk for hospitalized infants.
- A woman can become a human milk donor if she is healthy and not using medications affecting milk production; contact the nearest human milk bank in Belo Horizonte for registration and screening.
- The city's Secondary Reference Unit, Saudade, serves as Belo Horizonte's Human Milk Collection Post, training health centers to become Human Milk Collection Units (UCLH), and there are currently 15 such units in the city.
