Pakistan’s first Human Milk Bank program is recently halted for religious reasons. The Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) launched it earlier this month. However, it ran into a hurdle due to a new fatwa issued by Darul Uloom Karachi. This fatwa casts doubt on the permissibility of the milk bank from an Islamic perspective.
Pakistan’s first human milk bank, launched earlier this month by the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) in collaboration with UNICEF, has been suspended. This decision follows a new religious ruling from Darul Uloom Karachi, a prominent Islamic institution, issued on June 16, 2024.
The milk bank was seen as a major step forward in maternal and child health. The institute aimed to provide pasteurized donor breast milk to babies whose mothers cannot produce enough milk. However, concerns about Islamic principles have led to its suspension.
According to Islamic teachings, a special bond called “milk kinship” is formed. It means when a woman breastfeeds a child who is not her own, this bond creates family-like ties. This must be clearly defined to prevent future issues, such as accidental marriages between milk siblings. Because milk bank donations are usually anonymous and mixed, this can complicate the establishment of these important relationships.
Initially, the milk bank received a religious endorsement, or fatwa, allowing it to operate within Islamic guidelines. However, the recently revised fatwa prompted SICHN to halt operations and seek further advice from both Darul Uloom Karachi and the Council of Islamic Ideology, a body that advises the government on Islamic law.
In their statement, SICHN emphasized their commitment to adhering to Islamic jurisprudence while continuing to explore how to provide vital health services in accordance with religious beliefs.
Currently, Iran is believed to be the only Muslim-majority country with an active network of human milk banks. They have navigated these religious concerns in their own way.
Initially, it was seen as a significant step forward in maternal health. However, the new fatwa has caused the program to be put on hold while they await guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology.
