Mangaluru: The Rotary Amrut Human Milk Bank has been established at the Government Maternity Hospital in Lady Goschen on Saturday March 5 at 4.00 pm. The milk bank will provide milk to premature babies who have been deprived of their mother’s milk for various reasons.
The programme was inaugurated by Rotary District Governor A. R. Ravindra Bhat.
Consultant Paediatrician at Government Wenlock Hospital Dr. U. V. Shenoy first proposed the initiative to Rotary. Dr. Shenoy was effective in convincing the Rotary club to join in this life-saving initiative. Once collected, milk can be stored for up to six months.
The Project Manager and team were mentored through the entire process by Dr. B. Shantharam Baliga, a Consultant Paediatrician who was in charge of establishing the NICU unit at Lady Goschen. The Human Milk Bank’s staff was trained on operational processes and controls by Dr. Sreenath Manikanti of Bengaluru’s Amara Milk Bank.
The project cost is estimated to be around Rs. 35 lakh, with funds coming from Rotary District 3181 and international partners RI District 6540, RI District 6600, Rotary Club of Kentland, and New Tampa Noon Rotary Club, all of which are based in the US.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Rajendra K. V., Medical Superintendent Dr. Durgaprasad and RMO Dr. Balakrishna of the Lady Goschen Hospital were present during the ceremony.
