The First Breastmilk Bank at Mangalore’s Lady Goschen Hospital in Coastal Karnataka Gets Good Response

The First Breastmilk Bank at Mangalore’s Lady Goschen Hospital in Coastal Karnataka Gets Good Response

The public has responded positively to the establishment of Mangalore city’s Lady Goschen hospital as the first breastmilk bank in coastal Karnataka. The number of donors is rising each month. In March 2022, the breastmilk bank officially opened for business. 3300 lactating mothers have given the bank their breast milk thus far. This breastmilk is pasteurised and given to 68 preterm babies as well as youngsters who are housed in the RAPCC Children’s Center at Wenlock Hospital.

The donor’s signature is acquired on the consent form before the general, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and VDRL tests are run on the breastmilk sample. The breastmilk is collected as soon as a negative report is received. The pasteurised breastmilk is checked again in the Wenlock Hospital laboratory, and it is only provided to children after receiving a negative result. This breastmilk has a six-month shelf life.