PGI Chandigarh started Human Milk Bank for premature birth

PGI Chandigarh’s neonatal unit has started a human milk bank. If a mother is not well after giving birth to a child or can not produce colostrum (breast milk), this bank will provide milk to those babies. Colostrum is vital for a baby’s healthy growth and gives protection against any kind of infection. Those women who are healthy after giving birth and producing enough mother feed, their milk will be stored to feed other babies. Consent will be taken from mothers before taking their milk.

Milk pasteurization machines have been installed for storing colostrum. It is better than formula milk available in the market. Colostrum is given to 5–7 babies every day. The government set a target to start a human milk bank in every medical college. There are 100 human milk banks across the country.