Newsroom
Cyprus is taking a major step forward in neonatal care with the creation of the country’s first National Human Milk Bank, a project now backed financially by the charity “Thermokitida Agapis” (Incubator of Love).
The milk bank will operate at Archbishop Makarios III Hospital and is being hailed as a milestone for premature and vulnerable newborns who can’t breastfeed in their first days or weeks of life. For many parents, especially after a difficult or early birth, breastfeeding isn’t immediately possible, and that’s where the new bank comes in.
In simple terms: it will provide safe, tested, high-quality donor breast milk to babies who need it most. Doctors say this can be life-changing, helping with brain development and protecting fragile newborns from serious complications.
The charity said it is “deeply proud” to support the initiative, calling it a critical safety net for families. “Every baby deserves the best possible start,” the organization said, noting that an organized and certified milk bank ensures exactly that.
The project is being rolled out under Cyprus’ National Strategy for Breastfeeding 2024–2027 and aligns with European neonatal care standards, which emphasize strict safety protocols for donor milk. International experts have long stressed that human milk plays a key role in the development and long-term health of premature infants.
Thermokitida Agapis also thanked Health Minister Michalis Damianos for pushing the effort forward, praising what it described as his determination and sensitivity on the issue. The charity said the cooperation between the state and civil society is essential for meaningful reforms in pediatric and neonatal care.
Beyond its initial funding, the group has committed to supporting the milk bank’s operation to ensure it remains sustainable and effective over the long run. The bank is expected to become a landmark project for Cyprus, with lasting benefits for babies and their families.
Because, as the charity put it, “every drop of love counts.”
