Human Milk Bank in Kochi becomes lifeline for newborns

KOCHI: The Human Milk Bank at Ernakulam General Hospital has provided breast milk to more than 3,000 babies so far. Every month, over 450 mothers donate milk to the bank, named 'Nectar of Life.' Around 100 babies benefit from the service each month. On average, nearly 10 babies from private hospitals also depend on the bank every month.

Some mothers regularly visit the hospital for months to donate milk. Doctors and nurses are also among the donors. The milk is given to babies only after it is sterilised through culturing and pasteurisation processes.

Initially, the milk was provided only to babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. Later, a network was created with hospitals across the district for milk collection and distribution. Around 3,600 babies are born at the General Hospital every year, and nearly 600 to 1,000 of them depend on the milk bank.

Who receives the service?

• When the mother and baby are admitted to different hospitals
• In cases of the mother’s death or illness
• When the mother has insufficient breast milk

Milk can be stored for six months

• The breast milk can be stored for up to six months. The milk bank was started in 2021 through an agreement between the Rotary Club of Cochin Global and the Kerala Health Department.
• The Indian Medical Association and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics initially provided nurses for the project. At present, nurses are directly appointed by the Health Department.
• Breast milk is collected using breast milk pumps. The milk is then pasteurised together at 60 degrees Celsius and stored in deep freezers.

Facilities available at the milk bank

• Pasteurisation unit
• Refrigerators
• Deep freezers
• Hospital-grade breast pumps
• RO plant
• Sterilisation system

The total cost of setting up the facility was around Rs 35 lakh.

"The number of caesarean deliveries and related health complications has increased in Kerala. In many such situations, mothers are unable to breastfeed their babies. Usually, infant formula is given during such times, but some babies develop health problems because of it. In such situations, a breast milk bank becomes extremely useful. Providing breast milk can help reduce many health problems and improve the baby’s overall well-being.”
-Dr R Shaheer Shah
DMO
Ernakulam