Latest news with #BreastMilkBank
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Mandya proposes to set up breast milk bank to reduce infant mortality
Mandya: To curb infant mortality, Mandya zilla panchayat CEO KR Nandini directed district health officials to visit Vanivilas Hospital in Bengaluru to study its successful 'Breast Milk Bank' model. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Based on their findings, a proposal will be prepared to establish a similar facility at Mandya District Hospital. The initiative aims to provide safely processed donor milk from lactating mothers to infants deprived of their own mother's milk, improving survival rates. All donated milk will be pasteurised to retain vital nutrients and antibodies, with a shelf life of up to six months. Only healthy mothers will be eligible to donate. Sharing her personal motivation, Nandini said, "I experienced motherhood twice, with both my children born in govt hospitals. My second daughter was delivered at Vanivilas Hospital, where I saw firsthand the impact of a breast milk bank. Many NICU babies cannot suck and need artificial feeding. For underweight infants, formula milk is often the only alternative. This bank will also benefit working mothers, ensuring their babies get breast milk even in their absence. " She said colostrum—produced in the first hour after birth—acts as a newborn's first vaccine, protecting against diseases. "Many mothers produce excess milk, which is often discarded. To me, it's as valuable as gold or diamonds. Mother's milk has no substitute; it's rich in immunity-boosting nutrients and can help any baby in need. For mothers, donation also prevents discomfort and health issues." Calling the plan a "win-win" for both newborns and mothers, Nandini added, "With our existing staff, we can start this facility to help bring down infant mortality. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Once the study visit is complete, we will set up a similar bank in Mandya to benefit many families." Dr Keerthi BJ, SNCU nodal officer, MIMS, said, "It's a really good initiative and need of the hour. In many cases, mothers of preterm babies are unable to produce sufficient breast milk. Using powdered milk can be risky, whereas mother's milk contains antibodies that provide protection and fulfil the baby's nutritional needs." At MIMS, about 600 babies are born every year, and on average, 150 of them are preterm—meaning they are born before completing nine months of pregnancy, he said. Dr Manohar R, associate professor of MIMS and president of Mandya District OBG Association, said, "That will definitely be beneficial. Those having issues with breastfeeding can definitely make use of this facility. Especially, preterm babies will be more beneficial."
South China Morning Post
16-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's breast milk bank close to eclipsing yearly target in first 6 months
Hong Kong's first breast milk bank supported 120 infants in its first six months, with 230 mothers donating 900 litres (1,902 pints), just shy of exceeding the health authorities' initial total yearly target. Advertisement Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, on Monday recognised donors' selfless dedication, saying that 'donating breast milk could even be harder than donating blood'. 'Donors have to take care of and breastfeed their own newborns while undergoing blood tests before they can donate their breastmilk. This requires a lot of effort,' he said at the official opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank. He added that the authorities initially had set a target of collecting 1,000 litres per year, a goal that was almost reached in half that time. Donation collection started on January 6 this year and began providing breast milk in March to babies with health complications due to illness or premature birth in neonatal intensive care units. Advertisement Among the 230 registered donors, Yoyo Chan Ho-yin shared her personal motivation at the ceremony, driven by her experience of two miscarriages. 'The moment I knew about the programme, I had decided that I would want to help save the lives of other premature and sick babies,' said Chan, who was at the ceremony with her one-year-old daughter.
