Iran established The Human Milk Bank Association (Committee) of I.R. Iran (HMBAI) to promote breastfeeding and human milk banks in the country
The Human Milk Bank Association of I.R. Iran (HMBAI) was established on 28 April 2024 with the collaboration of the Iranian Scientific Breastfeeding Promotion Society (I.R.I BFPS ). Iran have 13 active human milk banks (and two will be added shortly) in different parts of the country in 2024 and it is the first in the number of milk banks in the Middle East. There is a plan for increasing the number of milk banks as a need to decrease the mortality and morbidity of infants as a national need.
During a meeting with the participation of directors of all human milk banks of the country, Dr. Mohammadbagher Hosseini (Neonatologist and head of Human Milk Bank of Tabriz) was chosen as the director of HMBAI.
The mission of HMBAI is to promote safe and equitable access to Mother’s Own Milk for all Iranian infants and Donor Human Milk (as the second choice) for preterm infants, support milk banks across Iran, and ensure quality standards. The main goals of HMBAI are breastfeeding support, developing standardized protocols, and facilitating research and development in human milk banking. The objectives of the HMBAI as a nonprofit organization are to promote social and health-related activities:
Promoting breastfeeding (as the main aim) in all parts of Iran and collaboration with
I.R.I BFPS
Donation of human milk to Human Milk Banks (HMB) in all parts of Iran
Utilization of donor human milk for premature infants and other infants with specific
needs who do not have access to their mother’s milk
Milk banking and the establishment of new human milk banks
International cooperation between HMBs and National Associations/Groups of
Human Milk Banks around the globe; and specialty EMBA
