KARACHI: The Human Milk Bank at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN), a pioneering initiative in Pakistan, has been temporarily suspended following a revised fatwa from Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi.
The facility, initially launched with religious approval, aimed to provide vital breast milk to premature infants lacking sufficient maternal nutrition.
The decision to suspend operations was influenced by the issuance of a new fatwa on June 16, 2024, contradicting earlier religious endorsements.
SICHN, in response to the evolving religious discourse, has halted the project and sought additional guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).
Dr. Jamal Raza, the head of SICHN, highlighted the essential nature of the milk bank, noting its critical role in supporting premature infants who often do not have access to adequate maternal milk. The initiative was established to enhance the survival rates of these vulnerable newborns, adhering to Shariah guidelines.
The inauguration of this facility was marked by the presence of Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, along with representatives from UNICEF and the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), marking it as Pakistan’s first Shariah-compliant milk bank.
The project now faces uncertainties as SICHN awaits further directions from religious authorities amid ongoing discussions on the compatibility of such healthcare initiatives with Islamic teachings.
