Delhi’s inaugural municipal-operated “milk bank,” slated to be established at Swami Dayanand Hospital, will feature a facility for the storage of mother’s milk at low temperatures for future use, officials have revealed.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) proposed the creation of its first lactation management unit or “milk bank” in its budget presentation on December 9, designating Swami Dayanand Hospital as the site for this innovative initiative. While the municipal commissioner briefly mentioned the project in the budget speech, specific details were not provided.
Swami Dayanand Hospital, situated in East Delhi, serves as the sole civic hospital in the region. A senior doctor from the hospital outlined the concept, describing the “milk bank” as a facility where mother’s milk can be stored at low temperatures, similar to a blood bank. The primary aim is to preserve mother’s milk for future use, especially in cases where a newborn may be unable to feed immediately or is admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).
In such scenarios, the mother’s milk is collected using breast pumps, handled hygienically by trained staff, and transported to the designated milk bank. This stored milk can then be utilized when needed, ensuring its availability if the mother is unable to lactate or if lactation levels have decreased.
While acknowledging the ambitious nature of the proposal, the doctor expressed reservations about its execution, citing financial constraints at the MCD. The storage of mother’s milk at low temperatures requires advanced technology and a skilled workforce, posing challenges in implementation due to current resource limitations.
Despite these concerns, the doctor emphasized the potential benefits of the “milk bank,” especially for babies who may have lost their mothers at birth or at an early age.
The MCD’s recently presented budget estimate for the year 2024-25, totaling Rs 16,683.02 crore, includes provisions for various projects, including the construction of approximately 20 school buildings, the implementation of artificial intelligence for monitoring civic amenities, and the establishment of testing labs in 60 primary health centers through a public-private partnership model. Additionally, a blood storage facility is slated to be initiated at Mata Gujri Hospital as part of the proposed budget.
(With PTI inputs)
