Why Human Milk Is a Rights Issue in India

In India, access to human milk is increasingly recognized as a human rights issue because it directly impacts newborn survival, equity in healthcare, and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Despite India pioneering Asia’s first human milk bank in Mumbai in 1989, the country still has fewer functional banks, leaving millions of vulnerable infants without equitable access to donor milk 

Survival & Health: Human milk reduces infant mortality, especially from infections and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Equity:  Many mothers in India face medical or socio-economic barriers to breastfeeding. Donor milk ensures no newborn is deprived of optimal nutrition.

Legal & Ethical Framework: The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) upholds the right to health under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 National Human Rights Commission India. Access to human milk aligns with this principle.

Current Landscape in India

In India, many mothers face challenges in breastfeeding due to medical complications, maternal illness, or socio-economic barriers. Without access to donor milk, vulnerable infants are left at a disadvantage. Ensuring equitable access through human milk banks is a matter of justice-every newborn deserves the same chance at survival, regardless of circumstance.

First Milk Bank: Established in Dharavi, Mumbai (1989) by Dr. Armida Fernandez

Slow Growth: As of recent years, India has around 90 operational milk banks, far fewer than needed compared to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) 

Barriers:

Lack of awareness among families and healthcare providers

High infrastructure and maintenance costs

Aggressive promotion of formula milk by industry

Human Milk Banking as a Solution

Guidelines: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics has issued national guidelines for establishing and operating milk banks 

Role in Equity: Milk banks ensure that preterm, sick, or orphaned infants receive safe, pasteurized donor milk.

Call to Action: Global health experts emphasize equitable access to human milk for vulnerable infants as a public health and rights priority

Risks of Inaction

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and India’s own commitment to child health emphasize the right to survival and the highest attainable standard of health. Access to human milk directly fulfills these rights. Treating it as a privilege rather than a right perpetuates inequality in neonatal care.

Increased infant mortality and morbidity among preterm and low-birth-weight babies.

Healthcare inequity, where only privileged families can afford alternatives.

Violation of rights, as newborns are denied the best possible start to life.

The Way Forward for India

Recognizing human milk as a human rights issue means integrating donor milk into neonatal care policies, scaling milk banks across states, and raising awareness among healthcare providers and families. By doing so, India can ensure that every newborn regardless of birth circumstances receives the healthiest possible start in life.

Conclusion

In India, access to human milk is not just a medical issue it is a human rights imperative. Every newborn has the right to survival, health, and equity. Scaling human milk banks and integrating donor milk into neonatal care policies is essential to uphold this right and give every child the healthiest possible start.