The hospital's head doctor Renāte Snipe said that the idea had been around for five years, and for two years collecting of funds was ongoing. The bank is established with the help of donations and the Children's Hospital Foundation. The maintenance will be ensured by the state.
The bank will be used for prematurely born children who need breastmilk to prevent serious development and health issues. It is planned that the bank will constantly be provided by 10 donors who can donate around a liter of milk a week.
Latvia was the only country in the European Union without a breastmilk bank. Estonia established one 12 years ago, whereas Lithuania founded two within the past six years.
