Telangana Guv launches human milk bank in Hyderabad

A unique human milk bank has come up in Hyderabad which will cater to preterm babies and other infants in need of milk.

Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan on Wednesday launched the milk bank at KIMS Cuddles in Kondapur on the eve of World Prematurity Day on November 17.

Several eligible mothers have shown willingness to donate milk voluntarily. The banks can store milk for up to one year. Whenever the need arises, the milk is withdrawn and used after it is brought to a liquid state. KIMS Cuddles expects that on an average at least five babies will be requiring human milk from its bank on any given day.

The Governor recalled that as a practicing pediatrician at Thanjavur, she came across several instances from which she understood the inadequate supply of breast milk for new-born babies. That is when she realised the need for having human milk banks, particularly after she saw the yeomen services rendered by such banks while on a visit to a Mumbai hospital.