Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 25: Preparations are afoot to install a breast milk bank in the government Lady Goschen Hospital in the city. This bank will help newborns which lose their mothers at birth, and premature babies.

This government hospital provides a ray of hope for the poor. It is equipped with all the facilities. The hospital conducts over 700 child births every month. In association with Rotary Club, machinery costing Rs 45 lac has been installed. This bank, once it becomes functional, will be a boon to the premature babies and the ones which have lost their mothers.

NICU at Lady Goschen Hospital (file photo)

Medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr M Durgaprasad, said that pregnant women from various parts of the district come to this hospital for delivery. Some among them suffer from malnutrition because of financial problems. Such others encounter breast milk shortage. The children of such mothers can be provided milk from this bank. The breast milk donated by mothers is properly collected and given to young babies that are in need, he added.

Nodal Officer of the proposed bank, Dr Balakrishna Rao, said that breast milk contains salts, proteins, carbohydrates and cells which increase immunity against diseases. This can save the lives of children that have lost their mothers. The breast milk from willing mothers is collected, refrigerated and preserved, he stated.

The doctors say that women who have newly given birth, and donors can donate breast milk to this bank which will increase the chances of survival of the premature babies.