Human Breast Milk Bank inaugurated at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal

Manipal: A First Human Breast Milk Bank of Udupi “Manipal Matri-Amrit Milk Bank” was inaugurated on the 11th of June 2024 by Smt Mamatha Devi G S, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Additional District Magistrate, Udupi District, who was the chief guest for the function.

Dr IP Gadad, District Health and Family welfare officer, Udupi District, was the Guest of honour for the program. Dr Padmaraj Hegde, Dean KMC Manipal, Dr Avinash Shetty Medical Superintendent Kasturba Hospital, Dr (Retd VAdm) Sheila S Mathai, NM,VSM, Professor and Head Department of Neonatalogy were present.

The Manipal Matri-Amrit Milk Bank is an initiative of the Manipal Foundation in collaboration with Kasturba Hospital, Manipal and is the first of its kind in Udupi District. It is situated in the Department of Neonatology, which has a tertiary care NICU catering to sick and preterm infants across several state districts.

Smt Mamatha Devi G S inaugurated the Manipal Matri-Amrit Milk Bank, marking the establishment of Udupi District’s first Human Milk Bank. Expressing her delight, she stated, “Mother’s breast milk is like an elixir or medicine for babies. It is crucial for newborns to receive breast milk in their early days as it significantly improves their health.” This initiative aims to ensure that more infants benefit from the vital nutrients found in breast milk, promoting healthier beginnings for the district’s youngest residents.

Dr IP Gadad released the Educational brochure and said “Kasturba Hospital Manipal has always been at the forefront of introducing innovative projects to the community,” He highlighted the critical need to raise awareness about the importance of breast milk, ensuring that all newborns receive the essential nutrients found in breast milk during their early days. The educational brochure aims to inform and educate parents about the numerous benefits of breast milk, emphasizing its role in providing vital nutrition to newborns.

Dr. Padmaraj Hegde welcomed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in promoting healthier beginnings for the district’s youngest residents. This effort aims to ensure that more infants benefit from the vital nutrients found in breast milk.

Dr Avinash shetty Proposed vote of thanks and said, “It is essential that we give the best possible care to our smallest patients and the Human Milk Bank is a non-profit initiative in this regard. We also need to educate the community about human milk banks so that more donors come forward,”

Dr Sheila Mathai gave overview on Manipal Matri-Amrit Milk Bank and said “Human Milk Banks ensure that the donated human milk is rendered safe for use by recipient babies by a process that follows standard guidelines. At KH we encourage mothers to share any extra milk that they may have which can benefit our smallest and sickest babies”.

The donation of human milk can be done by healthy lactating mothers who are either admitted with their babies or who attend the hospital OPD for routine checkups of their babies. The NICU OPD (1st floor, Women and Children Block, KH) can be contacted for the same. Dr Shruthi K Bharadwaj was the Master of Ceremony for the program.