7k mothers donate to Jeevamrutha milk bank, 2.5k infants benefit

Hubballi: The Jeevamrutha Milk bank at Karnataka Medical College-Research Institute (KMC-RI) recorded donations from 7,080 mothers over two years, collecting 1,516 litres of breast milk and benefiting 2,569 babies, including preterm infants. The milk bank was established on April 12, 2024, with the aim of providing nutritious milk to infants who cannot receive their own mother's milk. It is the first bank established at a govt hospital and has reached the milestone.The bank was established at KMC-RI in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Hubballi Midtown and the Rotary Club of Coppell (USA). The bank functioned under the Department of Paediatrics. Four nurses, two Group D workers and one nodal officer are working in the bank. Till now, around 33m0 pasteurisation cycles were completed and 1,483 litres of milk were pasteurised.Ishwar Hosamani, KMC-RI Director, told TOI that the milk bank has received positive response. It was established in 2024. Till now, 7,080 mothers have donated their milk. For the development and to get nutrition to the baby, donated milk is the best. We have well-equipped equipment to store milk under the Rotary Club. The milk is stored safely with all measures without spoiling. Day by day, donors are increasing. We are storing milk largely and have plans to extend storage. Mothers are voluntarily donating their milk in the bank. Mothers are being made aware about the bank and its importance in getting immunity for the infants, he added.Pallavi Chinnur, a mother, said: "I gave birth to my child at 8 months. I have been donating milk from last five days as my infant is in NICU. There will be problems like discomfort in new moms if they do not feed their child. Therefore, I am donating my milk and in turn, my infant is getting milk from the bank. I am glad to donate milk to the bank. My infant is seeing improvement with nutritious milk from Jeevamrutha."