The number of people who donate breast milk and the number of beneficiaries is increasing significantly every year. As many as 2,355 people have donated breast milk till August this year. This has benefitted 5,511 children - Dean Dr. Nirmala.
Coimbatore: Breast milk is the elixir provided by nature. It is said that breast milk is equal only to breast milk because it contains all kinds of nutrients required for the perfect growth of a child such as immunity, nutrition and vitality.
According to scientific studies, breast milk has innumerable benefits not only for the baby but also for the mother.
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) had in 2019 surveyed the infant mortality rate in India and at the end of it had reported that 882,000 children die annually from malnutrition. As of today, the mortality rate continues to rise to 6,000 children per day.
While poverty is the leading cause of infant mortality, lack of breast milk is also one of the major reasons for the rise in the death toll, the study said.
Just as modern medicine and awareness during pregnancy play an important role in reducing infant mortality today, breast milk donation also plays an important role.
Pioneers in Breast Milk Donation At Coimbatore Government Hospital
Breast milk is donated and given to the needy infants. Since 2015, it is being implemented at the Government Hospital, Coimbatore. A breast milk storage bank has been established and through volunteers and awareness, women who have delivered in the hospital and women who have delivered elsewhere are protected from donated breast milk. It is given to children born in government hospitals and to infants who are admitted for treatment in destitute conditions.
The number of people who donate breast milk annually due to continuous awareness and the number of beneficiaries is also increasing significantly, said Dr Nirmala, Dean, Government Hospital, Coimbatore.
2355 women donate breast milk; 5511 Infants benefitted
"This year, till August alone, 2,355 people have donated breast milk. As many as 5,511 children have benefited from this scheme. Through this breast milk bank, many children are getting nutritious and healthy breast milk.
In this breast milk bank, breast milk is maintained in a safe manner and given to the children in need.
Infants who are admitted for treatment in destitute conditions, infants admitted to neonatal units who are born prematurely and underweight, babies of mothers who are unable to breastfeed are all benefited by this breastmilk bank.
Moreover, those who have delivered in private hospitals and are suffering from shortage of breast milk are getting breast milk from the government hospital's breast milk bank.
In the coming days, spreading awareness about breast milk donation to more people will lead to a reduction in the infant mortality rate in India", she said.
According to scientific studies, breast milk has innumerable benefits not only for the baby but also for the mother.
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) had in 2019 surveyed the infant mortality rate in India and at the end of it had reported that 882,000 children die annually from malnutrition. As of today, the mortality rate continues to rise to 6,000 children per day.
While poverty is the leading cause of infant mortality, lack of breast milk is also one of the major reasons for the rise in the death toll, the study said.
Just as modern medicine and awareness during pregnancy play an important role in reducing infant mortality today, breast milk donation also plays an important role.
Pioneers in Breast Milk Donation At Coimbatore Government Hospital
Breast milk is donated and given to the needy infants. Since 2015, it is being implemented at the Government Hospital, Coimbatore. A breast milk storage bank has been established and through volunteers and awareness, women who have delivered in the hospital and women who have delivered elsewhere are protected from donated breast milk. It is given to children born in government hospitals and to infants who are admitted for treatment in destitute conditions.
The number of people who donate breast milk annually due to continuous awareness and the number of beneficiaries is also increasing significantly, said Dr Nirmala, Dean, Government Hospital, Coimbatore.
2355 women donate breast milk; 5511 Infants benefitted
"This year, till August alone, 2,355 people have donated breast milk. As many as 5,511 children have benefited from this scheme. Through this breast milk bank, many children are getting nutritious and healthy breast milk.
In this breast milk bank, breast milk is maintained in a safe manner and given to the children in need.
Infants who are admitted for treatment in destitute conditions, infants admitted to neonatal units who are born prematurely and underweight, babies of mothers who are unable to breastfeed are all benefited by this breastmilk bank.
Moreover, those who have delivered in private hospitals and are suffering from shortage of breast milk are getting breast milk from the government hospital's breast milk bank.
In the coming days, spreading awareness about breast milk donation to more people will lead to a reduction in the infant mortality rate in India", she said.