Pune,13th June,2024: Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital successfully hosted a breast milk donation awareness drive at their hospital premises in Pune under the theme of “Love in Every Drop Donated, Life in Every Drop Received”. Breast milk is the primary and ultimate source of nutrition for newborns and infants, it supports the healthy growth of babies and protects them against the risks of infections and diseases. In the absence of breast milk, donor milk is the second-best choice for any child, particularly for prematurely born babies or severely ill newborns. This drive was inaugurated by Dr.Manisha Khalane, a lactation consultant who addressed the cohort of donor mothers by emphasizing the significance of breast milk donation and lauding their contributions.
Breast milk contains all the nutrients that an infant needs in the first 6 months of life, including fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. However, only 43% of Indian infants are exclusively breastfed for 6 months according to NFHS. Some mothers may not be able to produce milk during pregnancy due to hormonal issues or post-birth infections. Breast milk donation can ensure a continuous supply of nutrition to premature or ill newborns who are unable to breastfeed.
The milk donation awareness drive witnessed generous participation of 675 from eligible donor mothers. SMCH through this drive was able to collect 527 litre 984ml from mothers which will help the hospital feed and nourish 525
The donor mothers also shared their stories, with grace and warmth, exemplifying an unwavering commitment to nurturing life. Minakshi shared – “I am a lactating mother who was already producing more milk than my baby needed. I had an oversupply of milk and decided to donate it to help infants in need. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only did I help nourish and save lives, but I also helped other mothers see their babies grow healthily with the necessary nutrients.”
Commemorating the event, Dr.Amita Kaul expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the donating mothers. In her thank-you note, Dr.Kaul acknowledged the invaluable role these mothers play in the hospital’s mission to provide optimal neonatal care – “Today, I want to thank every donor mother for her generosity and commitment. Your contributions have provided essential nourishment and crucial antibodies to protect the little ones in our NICUs. Breast milk is a vital source of nutrition, The good bacteria and oligosaccharides present in human milk help to strengthen and protect the baby’s digestive tract by promoting healthy digestion. Breast milk is loaded with hormones that help in regulating the baby’s appetite and help them develop a healthy sleep cycle. Every mother who participated in the donation drive today is a saviour and has given a profound meaning to today’s theme – Love in Every Drop Donated, Life in Every Drop Received”.
About Surya Mother & Child Super Speciality Hospital, Pune:
Surya Mother & Child Super Speciality Hospital is a 110-bed super-speciality hospital dedicated to the health of newborns, children, and women of all ages. All pediatric super-specialities are available under one roof along with comprehensive maternal & women care. It helps in delivering optimum care to the child and mothers alike. Such hospitals are the norm in Western countries, but the concept is lacking in India. To fill up this void, this hospital was started in 2015 in Pune and since then has been a pioneer of this concept in the region.
As the largest private pediatric health centre in Pune, the hospital is driven by a mission to improve health care outcomes for children. We at Surya believe in providing compassionate, specialized, evidence-based care. Our team believes in achieving clinical and scientific advancement through top-class efforts and expertise. We impart the same philosophy to our next generation of experts through effective training. This work has been impactful not only at the local level but also at the state and national level.
The hospital has a well-trained & experienced team of Pediatric Super Specialists, Neonatologists, & Intensivists to complement its Advanced Intensive Care facilities. Surya Mother & Child Super Speciality Hospital is the only Mother & Child hospital in the city to receive a full NABH accreditation & also being recognized by the National Board of Education for Post Graduate Training in Pediatrics (DNB). The hospital also offers full-time NNF Accredited Fellowships in Neonatology & IAP-CC Accredited Fellowships in Pediatric Intensive Care.
