Pakistan’s pioneering Human Milk Bank at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) has been suspended following a new fatwa issued by Darul Uloom Karachi. The decision came after the institute sought additional guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).
In a bilingual announcement, SICHN explained the suspension, citing recent religious decrees from prominent scholars and Madaris. The Human Milk Bank, initially launched with religious approval from Darul Uloom Karachi, was forced to halt operations after a revised fatwa was issued on June 16, 2024.
An SICHN representative stated, “The Human Milk Bank was established with a fatwa from Darul Uloom Karachi. However, the recent revised fatwa has led us to discontinue its operations.”
The statement emphasized SICHN’s commitment to improving child health and neonatal care, while respecting religious and cultural sensitivities. The milk bank, inaugurated by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho with support from UNICEF and the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), was Pakistan’s first Shariah-compliant facility designed to provide breast milk to premature infants lacking adequate maternal nutrition.
Dr. Jamal Raza, head of SICHN, highlighted the critical importance of the milk bank, stating, “Breastfeeding is vital for babies born before 34 weeks, as they are often too weak and many mothers’ milk supply is insufficient. Our goal was to save these vulnerable infants.”
Located in a government hospital in Karachi, the milk bank faced objections from other scholars and religious groups, prompting a reevaluation and the issuance of the new fatwa. Consequently, SICHN has referred the matter to the Council of Islamic Ideology for further guidance as they navigate the complex intersection of healthcare and religious doctrine.
