Breast milk bank at govt. hospital in Tiruchi seeks more donors

Although the breast milk bank at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) has been receiving donation, the bank is facing challenges in meeting the growing demand

Although the breast milk bank at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) has been receiving donation, the bank is facing challenges in meeting the growing demand.

The milk bank, which has been functioning since August 2015, collects and preserves milk from lactating mothers at hospitals and from other donors. Healthy mothers, who give birth at the hospital, after feeding their child, donate the excess milk to the bank.

In 2024, the bank collected about 2,88,480 ml of milk from 727 mothers and was able to feed 776 babies with it. In January, the bank received 17,285 ml from 54 mothers, and about 61 babies benefited. About 3,300 ml was discarded due to bacterial infections found in the milk.

Although the bank collects a significant amount of milk every month, the nurse in charge of the milk bank says around 10% of it remains unused due to infections.

A baby requires about 20 to 40 ml of mother’s milk 10 to 12 times a day. “Awareness and importance of breastfeeding their children is low among women. We ensure that all the babies at the hospital receive breast milk only and the mothers are never advised to start on formula for at least six months,” said S. Padmapriya, paediatrician at the MGMGH.

At present, there is about 1,200 ml of milk ready to use, and 800 ml is awaiting test results. On an average, the hospital needs about 1,000 ml, including the quantum given to SocSead, a city-based NGO.

Even though the bank has witnessed an increase in milk collection over the years, the need for milk is higher. “Mostly, milk is given to underweight and sick babies born at the hospital and those under treatment at NICU. Infants of mothers, who are unable to feed the new-born due to post-partum complications, and abandoned babies are given breast milk from the bank,” Dr. Padmapriya said.