Karnataka: SDM hospital gets Human Milk Bank

Dharwad: The SDM College of Medical Sciences and hospital in Sattur has got its first human milk bank on the hospital premises which will cater to the patients of the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the northern region of Karnataka. 

The Rotary Club of Seven Hills took the initiative to set up the Amruta-SDM Rotary Human Milk Bank at the hospital. However, Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank and Rotary International Global Grant sponsored and supported the initiative.

Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade inaugurated the bank at the hospital and said that "Mother's breast milk is crucial for the proper growth of the child. Giving breast milk to another woman's child is not a phenomenon. Such a practice has been in existence for time immemorial. Suppose one mother in a family fell sick, and another lactating mother will breastfeed such a child. Now, with technological advancements, human milk banks are being established."

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TH reports that the bank established across 1,000 sq m aims to help the babies that do not receive milk from their own mothers due to a lack of nutrition in their bodies. Babies without parents will also be able to get the advantage of the facilities. Help will also be extended to the babies from other hospitals.

Rotary District Governor Gaurish Dhond, Secretary Gauri Madalabhavi, Chairman of KVG Bank P. Gopi Krishna, Vice-Chancellor of SDM University Niranjan Kumar, Principal of SDM College of Medical Sciences Ratnamala M. Desai, Director of Administration Saket Shetty, Vice-Principal Vijay Kulkarni and others were present.

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Dr Pallavi Deshpande, president of the Rotary Club of Seven Hills encouraged the mothers to come forward and help donate the milk that will be stored and later distributed to babies in need. "This is the first such unit in the Hubballi-Dharwad region, and it will significantly reduce neonatal and infant mortality rates. We intend to collaborate with other organisations to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and milk donation by healthy mothers, which will help save many lives," she told TOI.

According to Pallavi, a satellite centre will be set up at the District Civil Hospital in Dharwad where excess milk will be collected and distributed to the needy.