First Human Milk Bank of Udupi District Inaugurated at Kasturba Hospital in Manipal

The first human milk bank of Udupi district ‘Manipal Matri-Amrit Milk Bank’ was inaugurated on Tuesday. This is an initiative of Manipal Foundation in collaboration with Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, the bank is situated in the Department of Neonatology, which has a tertiary care NICU catering to sick and preterm infants. The bank aims to ensure that more infants benefit from the vital nutrients found in breast milk.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Udupi G.S. Mamatha Devi said that Mother’s milk is like an elixir or medicine for babies. It is crucial for the newborn to receive breast milk in their early days as it significantly improves their health. The bank is a non-profit initiative and there is also a need to educate lactating mothers to donate excess breast milk to the bank.