Milk bank nourishes 3,816 newborns since 2021 launch

Akola

A breast milk bank at the District Women's Hospital in Akola, Maharashtra, has provided free nourishment to 3,816 newborns since its launch in August 2021, an official said.

Every year, over 12,000 women give birth in Akola, Washim, and Buldhana district hospitals. However, many mothers struggle to breastfeed due to health issues. To address this, the Yashoda Mother Milk Bank was established in 2021, said hospital superintendent Dr. Jayant Patil.

Since its inception, 3,621 lactating mothers have donated a total of 714 liters of milk, of which 708 liters have been used to feed newborns.

The hospital is currently observing Women's Week from March 8, marking International Women’s Day.

Dr. Patil recalled a case from 2020 in Melghat, Amravati, where a mother couldn’t feed her baby due to medical reasons, leading to severe malnutrition. A tribal woman, Sarla Tote, stepped in to breastfeed the infant, saving its life. She was later honored as the brand ambassador of the Yashoda Milk Bank.

Each day, 15 to 20 women donate breast milk at the bank, where it is processed and stored at -20°C. The facility plays a crucial role in combating infant malnutrition, said in-charge Kavita Lavhale.