A human milk bank will soon open at the Lady Goschen government hospital, the district’s first of its kind. The bank’s goal is to get human milk to every infant as soon as possible. The bank is being built with the cooperation of Rotary Club Mangaluru through a global grant initiative for Rs 45 lakh, as per the hospital’s medical superintendent.
The goal is to supply breast milk from the bank to low-birth-weight preterm babies, newborns whose mothers are unable to provide enough milk, and babies separated from mothers for a variety of reasons. Breast milk from the bank will be allowed only after infection testing. This will aid in the reduction of infection risk and the improvement of their immunity.
A health expert has been appointed as the nodal officer, along with a panel of obstetricians, staff nurses, and counselors. An awareness drive is being planned with women’s NGOs, self-help groups, the department of women and child development, Anganwadi, and Asha workers to spread awareness and help reduce neonatal deaths. The hospital records an average of about 750 deliveries per month.
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