MDA israel

200 medical staff participated in the National Project for Provision of Human Milk from the Milk Bank to the Newborn conference, held by Magen David Adom and the Health Ministry.

Provision of human milk to premature babies and in particular when it is not the mother's milk, carries complex religious among the different religions. A special panel with the heads of the four major religions in Israel was held at the joint Magen David Adom and Health Ministry conference - "Milk for every newborn - the national program for access to human milk from the Milk Bank to the Newborn." The panel answered questions from the audience, at the conference held at the MDA Center in Ramla. 

The panel, attended by Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau, Head of the Sharia Courts in Israel Qadi Eiad Zahalka, Head of the Greek Catholic Church Archbishop Dr. Yousef Matta, and the Druze Court Qadi Abu Ayash, discussed the religious implications of babies from all religions to receive donated milk - thereby saving lives. 

"Judaism sees the greatness in mother's milk," said Chief Rabbi of Israel, David Lau."It creates a bond between the mother and child. It is a wonderful thing to merit, to be able to provide milk. For those who cannot provide, the Milk Bank allows for unity and unification - it is amazing to be able to provide the wonders of creation in the best way possible in order to provide for children. The more we can join together, unite, connect and help provide the children with this wonderful gift, we should rejoice, and may you receive heavenly blessings." 

Qadi Dr. Eiad Zahalka, Head of the Sharia Courts in Israel explained: "The problem in Islamic law is that mother's milk affects the child's genetics and makes the child a relative of the mother. Therefore any children who have nursed from the same mother, cannot marry each other. But it is very important that we should have the Milk Bank, and to keep a registry of the donor mother, so that when one day the children will want to marry, we can ensure that they are not closely related." 

During the conference, where among those present Head of the Medical Department in the Health Ministry Dr. Sigal Libernet-Taub, Head of the Neonatologists Union Prof. Aryeh Riskin, Director General of Magen David Adom Mr. Eli Bin, Director of the MDA National Milk Bank Dr. Sharon Bransburg-Tzabari, and other dignitaries, the Deputy Director of the Health Ministry Dr. Sefi Mendelovich greeted the participants, a tour was conducted of the new Human Milk Bank, graciously donated by the Susman family of Palm Beach Gardens and donors from the Australian Friends of Magen David Adom and a number of lectures were held on subjects including: "Mothers' Milk – Healing through Feeding", there was a review of Milk Banks as part of the treatment of premature babies, introduction of donated milk in neonatal units, and more.

Adv. Muawia Kabha, of the general medicine department of the Health Ministry: "One of the main achievements is the cooperation between the different organizations, and with Magen David Adom opening the first National Human Milk Bank in Israel, whose essence is to save the lives of neonates and premature babies who require human milk where the mother is unable to provide it. The Health Ministry will continue to support the Milk Bank and will oversee the process in regards to the hospitals across Israel."

Director of the MDA Human Milk Bank, Dr. Sharon Bransburg-Tzabari said in her lecture – "Mothers' Milk – Healing through Feeding": "Thanks to our hundreds of donors, we have supplied over three and a half tons of milk over the past two years to premature babies in need. One of our donors, Einat Zayfa, who is our longest-serving donor, is here, having been a donor for a third year running. Human milk is vital to premature babies and children in need, and without our incredible community of donors, we wouldn't be able to save the lives of many premature infants and babies. I just want to say to you all – thank you very much!

Dr. Marina Izak, Deputy Director of MDA's Blood Services summarized the conference: "The conference was highly successful and exceeded expectations. We have waited several years for the Human Milk Bank to open in Ramla, and here we are today. The bank is working and saving lives thanks to our donors, women with huge hearts, and I'd like to thank you all."

MDA Director General Eli Bin: "First of all, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Human Milk donors. Despite the fact that you all come from different backgrounds, you, along with MDA Human Milk Bank staff come together with one lofty aim – to save the lives of premature infants and babies, irrespective of their religion, race or gender. The conference today is extremely important, and I am certain that thanks to it we will be able to raise awareness of the importance of the donation of Human Milk for any newborn who requires it – thereby providing a life-saving medication. I would like to thank Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau, Head of the Sharia Courts in Israel Qadi Dr. Eiad Zahalka, Head of the Greek Catholic Church in Israel Archbishop Dr. Yousef Matta, and the Druze Religious Courts in Israel Qadi Imad Abu Ayash for joining the special panel in order to highlight that saving lives is of the highest value."