Georgia opens its first human milk bank for high-risk newborns

Georgia has opened its first human milk bank, launching a new programme aimed at improving care for premature and high-risk newborns.

The initiative has been introduced by the Public Health Centre of the Adjara Ministry of Health and Social Protection under a new programme designed to provide donor human milk for vulnerable infants.

The country's first human milk bank has been established at the M. Iashvili Batumi Central Maternal and Child Hospital in the country’s Black Sea resort city, which will deliver the service as part of the programme.

The opening ceremony was attended by Georgian Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze, who described the launch as an important step towards improving maternal and child healthcare, particularly for newborns requiring specialised medical care.

The Adjara Ministry of Health said the programme is intended to support the safe treatment, optimal growth and development of premature and high-risk infants through access to screened donor breast milk.

Adjara Health Minister Nino Nizharadze said the programme is expected to play a significant role in protecting the health of vulnerable newborns.

“Its main objective is to create safe treatment conditions and support healthy growth and development. The initiative will help reduce the risk of complications, including severe infections and developmental delays,” Nizharadze said.

The programme will be available to newborns identified as high-risk based on established medical criteria. Donor milk will be supplied to neonatal care providers upon request through a voucher-based system.