HUMAN MILK BANK ADMITTED TO EUROPEAN NETWORK

BANJA LUKA, JULY 3 /SRNA/ – The first Human Milk Bank in Republika Srpska, located at the University Clinical Center /UCC/ of Republika Srpska's Children's Clinic, has been admitted to the European Milk Bank Association.

The UCC said in a statement that admission to the European Milk Bank Association is a significant international achievement, as the membership confirms that the institution meets high professional and quality standards in the collection, processing and distribution of donor human milk.

"By joining this association, we will strengthen professional cooperation with leading European centers, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and implement the latest standards in providing healthcare to the most vulnerable patients, particularly premature and ill newborns," the UCC said.

The healthcare institution added that the recognition marks an important step forward in the further development of its healthcare services.

The Human Milk Bank at the University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka was opened on September 26, 2022.

Funds for establishing the first Human Milk Bank in Republika Srpska were raised through the humanitarian campaign "With Love to Brave Hearts," launched by then-President of Republika Srpska Željka Cvijanović at the initiative of the Association of Parents of Prematurely Born Children, "Mrvice".