CHALLENGES TO THE BRAZILIAN NETWORK OF HUMAN MILK BANKS: INTERFACE BETWEEN PRIMARY AND TERTIARY CARE

Abstract

This study analyzed the interface between a family health unit and the human milk bank of a maternity hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Through interviews, key actors pointed out problems related to the Health Care Network and strategies to overcome them. Matus' categories supported the analysis of the interviews. The link between primary and tertiary care, between health teams and the community, and the involvement of the actors in this process configured a network recognized and multiplied by the Municipal Health Department, which articulated a network of Human Milk Receiving Stations. The experience contributed to increase the collection of breast milk by milk banks. The study showed that local actions contribute to a more effective capillarization of human milk donation with the effective participation of the units that work in the Family Health Strategy. The institutionalization of actions at the local level is an important strategy to reinforce national breastfeeding policies, in a network logic that goes beyond the traditional reference and counter-reference models.