Mangaluru – In a remarkable stride towards saving newborn lives, Lady Goschen Hospital is leading a quiet revolution in neonatal care through its Human Milk Bank, named ‘Amrita Ghataka’ (meaning ‘Nectar Unit’). Since its launch on February 9, 2022, the initiative has become a lifeline for newborns who are unable to receive their mother’s breast milk due to premature birth, low birth weight, or maternal complications.

A Scientific Approach to Saving Lives

The milk bank follows a meticulous process:

  • Donor Screening: Healthy lactating mothers voluntarily donate surplus milk after thorough health evaluations.

  • Pasteurisation: The milk is heat-treated to remove harmful pathogens while retaining essential nutrients.

  • Storage: Pasteurised milk is preserved at -20°C, staying viable for up to six months.

  • Distribution: Based on medical advice, the milk is given to vulnerable infants in the NICU, including preterm and underweight babies.

Impact in Numbers

So far:

  • 8,265 mothers have donated

  • 366 babies have benefitted

  • 508 litres of milk have been collected and distributed

Voices of Gratitude

Mamatha, a mother from Beltangady, shared:

“My baby was born prematurely, and I couldn’t produce milk. Thanks to the milk bank, my child received the nourishment he needed and is now healthy.”

A Collaborative Effort

  • Dr. Durgaprasad, hospital superintendent, noted that 32% of the 500–600 monthly deliveries are high-risk, making the milk bank vital.

  • Rotary Club of Mangaluru provided ₹42 lakh in funding to establish the unit.

  • Dr. Lakshmi Kamath, pediatric specialist, stressed the irreplaceable value of breast milk for NICU infants.

  • Jayalakshmi, NICU officer, highlighted how donor milk has replaced formula and improved recovery rates.

This initiative is not just about milk—it’s about hope, health, and a future for the most vulnerable.