PUNE: Sahyadri Hospitals MomStory is proud to announce the completion of ten years of its Human Milk Bank Service in Pune, marking a significant milestone in the care of pre-term infants. This service was initiated by Rotary Club Pune Pride under their impactful Yashoda Milk Bank Project. Over the past decade, more than 3500 pre-term infants have been saved, thanks to the generous donations of lactating mothers and the dedicated efforts of our medical team.

Dr. Sunil Rao, Chief Operating Officer of Sahyadri Hospitals, highlighted the operational challenges and successes over the past decade. “Operating a human milk bank involves significant logistical and financial challenges. From the rigorous screening of donors to ensure safety, to the pasteurization and storage processes, each step requires meticulous attention and resources. Despite these challenges, we remain dedicated to saving pre-term infants. There are very few milk banks in Pune to meet the daily requirements of such babies, making our efforts even more critical. We have managed to extend our services beyond Pune to Kolhapur, Satara, and Solapur, thanks to our dedicated milk van and extensive awareness campaigns. The support from Rotary has been instrumental in overcoming these hurdles and ensuring a steady supply of donor milk,” said Dr. Rao.

Dr. Pradeep Suryawanshi, Director & Head Department of Neonatology and Pediatrics at Sahyadri Hospitals MomStory, highlighted the crucial role of mother’s milk for pre-term infants saying, “Mother’s milk is essential for pre-term babies, offering vital nutrients, and antibodies that support their growth and development. Because their digestive systems are not fully developed, pre-term infants cannot properly digest formula milk, which can lead to serious complications. The nutrients in the mother’s milk are key to building the infant’s immune system and supporting healthy brain development. For these vulnerable infants, who often have underdeveloped organs, mother’s milk significantly reduces the risk of infections.” Dr. Suryawanshi explained.

The process of milk donation at Sahyadri Hospitals involves rigorous screening of donors to ensure the highest safety standards. Potential donors undergo comprehensive health screenings, including tests for infections like HIV, HBV, and HCV. Once cleared, the donated milk is carefully collected and transported to our facility under strict temperature controls. Upon arrival, the milk undergoes pasteurization, a crucial step to eliminate any potential pathogens while preserving the milk’s essential nutrients. This process involves heating the milk to a specific temperature for a set period, followed by rapid cooling. Every batch of pasteurized milk is then tested to ensure it is free from bacterial contamination. The pasteurized milk can be safely stored for up to six months, ensuring a reliable supply for pre-term infants in need.

To increase the number of human milk donations, Sahyadri Hospitals operates a specialized milk van which is donated by Rotary Club of Pune Pride. This well-equipped van visits mothers’ homes to collect their milk donations and assists in distributing the milk to various hospitals across Maharashtra.

Operating since August 2014, the Human Milk Bank at Sahyadri Hospitals has been a pioneer in Pune, extending its services to western parts of Maharashtra. Despite the existence of only a few milk banks in Pune, Sahyadri Hospitals has risen to meet the daily requirements of pre-term infants through its dedicated milk van and awareness campaigns encouraging milk donation.

Sahyadri Hospitals expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ramesh Purandhare, Chairman of the Human Milk Bank Project (HMB), and Rtn Radha Gokhale, President of the Rotary Club of Pune Pride, for their generous donation of milk bank equipment, their invaluable support, and for being present at the occasion.

“The demand for donor milk is increasing day by day, and every donation makes a significant difference. We urge all lactating mothers to donate and help save more newborns. Each drop of milk donated helps to build a healthier future for our pre-term infants.” said Dr. Suryawanshi.

Despite challenges like infrastructure costs, maintenance, and raising awareness, Sahyadri Hospitals’ dedication and the support from Rotary have been crucial in overcoming these hurdles. Through these ongoing efforts, we aim to reach more infants, support their survival, and give them a chance to thrive in this world.

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PUNE: Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital successfully hosted a breast milk donation awareness drive at their hospital premises in Pune under the theme of “Love in Every Drop Donated, Life in Every Drop Received”. Breast milk is the primary and ultimate source of nutrition for newborns and infants, it supports the healthy growth of babies and protects them against the risks of infections and diseases. In the absence of breast milk, donor milk is the second-best choice for any child, particularly for prematurely born babies or severely ill newborns. This drive was inaugurated by Dr.Manisha Khalane, a lactation consultant who addressed the cohort of donor mothers by emphasizing the significance of breast milk donation and lauding their contributions.

Breast milk contains all the nutrients that an infant needs in the first 6 months of life, including fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. However, only 43% of Indian infants are exclusively breastfed for 6 months according to NFHS. Some mothers may not be able to produce milk during pregnancy due to hormonal issues or post-birth infections. Breast milk donation can ensure a continuous supply of nutrition to premature or ill newborns who are unable to breastfeed.

The milk donation awareness drive witnessed the generous participation of 675 eligible donor mothers. SMCH through this drive was able to collect 527 liters 984ml from mothers which will help the hospital feed and nourish 525

The donor mothers also shared their stories, with grace and warmth, exemplifying an unwavering commitment to nurturing life. Minakshi shared – “I am a lactating mother who was already producing more milk than my baby needed. I had an oversupply of milk and decided to donate it to help infants in need. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only did I help nourish and save lives, but I also helped other mothers see their babies grow healthily with the necessary nutrients.”

Commemorating the event, Dr.Amita Kaul expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the donating mothers. In her thank-you note, Dr.Kaul acknowledged the invaluable role these mothers play in the hospital’s mission to provide optimal neonatal care – “Today, I want to thank every donor mother for her generosity and commitment. Your contributions have provided essential nourishment and crucial antibodies to protect the little ones in our NICUs. Breast milk is a vital source of nutrition, The good bacteria and oligosaccharides present in human milk help to strengthen and protect the baby’s digestive tract by promoting healthy digestion. Breast milk is loaded with hormones that help in regulating the baby’s appetite and help them develop a healthy sleep cycle. Every mother who participated in the donation drive today is a savior and has given a profound meaning to today’s theme – Love in Every Drop Donated, Life in Every Drop Received”.

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