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Mothers Milk Bank – Pataka Miraka, a major new service for our region’s tiniest and most vulnerable patients.

Wellington region’s most vulnerable babies will now have access to local pasteurised donor breast milk through Wellington Hospitals Foundation support of Wellington Regional Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  This much needed and long awaited new service will be known as Pataka Miraka meaning, Milk Storehouse.

Premature babies face significant health challenges, and breast milk is the preferred choice of feeding to prevent health complications related to their early birth.  “Mother’s milk is critical for the growth and development of infants, and it protects them from infection. Having mother’s milk is an investment in the long-term health of our very fragile infants” said Rosemary Escott, NICU Nurse Manager,CCDHB.

Bill Day, Chair of Wellington Hospitals Foundation said, “We are delighted to be able to continue our support of NICU as they care for these precious wee babies. With $306,000 donated to establish the Mothers Milk Bank – Pataka Miraka, this will be a continuation of the significant support the Foundation has provided NICU over the past 10 years.  Through our community’s generosity Wellington Hospitals Foundation has funded more than $3 million in much needed items for NICU.” 

The milk bank will be operational from early 2021.    

You can support the ongoing costs associated with this project by DONATING HERE. Thank you.

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