Study for a public breast milk bank at Héma-Québec

Héma‑Québec is currently evaluating the possibility of launching a breast milk bank for Québec. Among other things, this project could increase the chances of survival for very premature babies, who cannot be breastfed by their mother.

Héma‑Québec already has the tools to collect, analyze, store and distribute blood products, stem cells and human tissue throughout the province. They also manage the only cord blood bank in Québec. All this considered, Héma‑Québec is an obvious choice to manage a breast milk bank. A committee of experts has been mandated to determine what would be required to start a public breast milk bank in Québec, and to provide an evaluation of the costs of such a project. They will also look at what has been done in other parts of the world, particularly in Europe and the United States.

The results of this study, financed by the Foundation at a cost of $66,000, was handed over to Héma‑Québec in the spring of 2011. The ultimate decision will be made by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux.