Owing to multiple reasons, many newborn babies remain deprived
of mother’s milk, which is crucial for their immunity. The factors may vary
from health issues to time constraint of working mothers due to professional
responsibilities. Taking note of these factors and to ensure availability of
breast milk for every newborn, Uttar Pradesh has come up with its first Mother’s
Milk Bank in Agra.
The milk bank will go through every technological
process like screening and pasteurising after collecting the human milk and
then provide it to the women, who are unable to lactate.
Besides, the lactarium would provide life support to
children deprived of their mother’s milk.
Lactating mothers can contribute to the Mother Milk
Bank by donating their breast milk, in addition to breastfeeding their babies,
urged the senior health officials in Agra.
Talking about the process of donating, the doctors
advised that donors can fill the milk in a stainless-steel container and keep
it in the refrigerator. Then, it can be carried in a cool bag containing dry
ice to bring it to the bank.
The milk will be screened in the bank to ascertain
whether the donor is suffering from any kind of disease. After testing, the
milk will be cleared for distribution.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Arun Srivastava said the
opening of the milk bank is a “significant achievement” toward ensuring the
immunity and healthy upbringing of children.
Senior public health expert Deepak J Dawe, who was
involved in the establishment of the human milk banks in Bharat, said mother’s
milk can be stored safely and used for a year when kept at minus 20 degrees in
the freezer.
He, meanwhile, noted that women from the upper strata
of society remain unwilling to donate breast milk compared to people from
low-income groups.
Breast milk banks are viewed as a vital part of the
healthcare system, and they play an important role in supporting the health and
well-being of babies and families.
NE Watch Desk
