On June 12, 2025, the University of Ghana Medical Centre Ltd (UGMC) made history with the launch of Ghana’s first-ever Human Milk Bank a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving newborn survival and advancing neonatal care in the country.
The service was established in collaboration with Indiana University School of Public Health at Bloomington and passionately spearheaded by Prof. Cecilia Obeng, Professor at the School of Public Health at Indiana University, will provide screened and pasteurised donor breast milk to pre-term and critically ill infants who are unable to breastfeed. It will offer a vital, lifesaving alternative in line with World Health Organization recommendations.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the initiative as “transformative,” noting that complications from prematurity contribute to nearly 30% of under-five deaths in Ghana. The milk bank, he emphasized, which is successfully operating in eight african countries, will play a critical role in bridging gaps in care and ensuring vulnerable newborns receive optimal nutrition during the most delicate stage of their life.
According to the head of the UGMC Paediatric Department, Dr. Beatrice Nyann, the Bank will begin by supporting in-house NICU patients ( babies) at UGMC, with plans to gradually expand access nationwide.
On her part, Prof.Cecilia Oppong, stated with excitement that the launch of the Bank was a dream come true for her because the death of a baby simply because of the unavailability of human milk was a pain too painful for her to bear.
Donor mothers will undergo comprehensive medical screening, and trained clinical staff will manage the collection, storage, and distribution of donated milk in line with global safety standards.
UGMC CEO, Dr. Abdul-Samed Tanko, described the launch of the Human Milk Bank as “a lifeline for our most fragile patients,” and added that it reaffirmed the Centre’s mission to inspire hope and promote quality healthcare for all who visit the Centre.
Dr. Tanko also praised the entire team behind the collaboration that brought the project to life. He also emphasized that this historic achievement was a demonstration of UGMC's commitment to distinguish itself in the provision of world-class patient care as the Milk Bank will ensure that the Centre's smallest patients are given their greatest chance at life during their most vulnerable moments.
