The mothers' milk bank dilemma: addressing the conservative stance and traditional views of Pakistani religious scholars.

Abstract

This study focuses on emerging conflicts between modern medical practice and fundamentalist religious views in Pakistan. It addresses the issue of the Mothers' Milk Bank at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology in Karachi which was recently shut down following an Islamic fatwa, demonstrating their considerable effect on public health policies. It also addresses milk banks globally and how these have been accommodated in the context of Islamic laws on breastfeeding and the concept of milk kinship [riḍā'a]. It advocates the need for milk banks in Pakistan for ethical reasons to lower infant mortality and for better infant nutrition. A framework for policies compliant with Islamic law is suggested, working with religious leaders, and raising awareness to ensure that healthcare systems accord with cultural and religious practices.Abbreviations: CII: Council of Islamic Ideology; Fiocruz: Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; MMBs: mothers' milk banks; NICU: neonatal intensive care unit; SABR: South African Breastmilk Reserve; SICHN: Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology; V-MAK: Vatsalya-Maatri Amrit Kosh.