Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s third human milk bank has begun operations at ST Hospital. Following national guidelines, the milk bank at ST Hospital now allows infants to access the breast milk they need. The facility was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan the other day.

Previously, similar milk banks were established at Kozhikode and Thrissur Medical Colleges. These banks aim to prevent the excessive use of milk powder and curb unauthorised sale of breast milk. There are plans to establish such banks in district and taluk hospitals as well.

Importance of breast milk for infants

Breast milk provides the best nutrition for infants. However, for various reasons, some babies do not have access to it. The milk banks primarily cater to: preterm infants, babies requiring medical care, infants unable to breastfeed, mothers with low milk supply, and babies whose mothers are unable to lactate due to illness or other conditions.

Strict guidelines

Milk banks are established only in adherence to clear standards set by the World Health Organization, the central government, and the National Health Mission. The guidelines include criteria for the bank’s size and staffing. Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres (CLMCs) and Lactation Management Units (LMUs) are set up to provide essential infrastructure, including collection, testing, processing and storage of breast milk.

Counselling for donors

The Health Department provides guidance on the importance of breast milk donation through the National Health Mission. Counselling is conducted at hospitals and vaccination centres by trained nurses and staff. Only after donors complete lab tests and health screenings is breast milk collected.

Breast milk donation

Any healthy mother can donate to the milk bank. Milk is collected using breast pumps or by manual expression. Collections are made from mothers admitted to hospitals as well as from donors outside the hospital.

The collected milk undergoes pasteurisation and other sterilisation processes and is stored at controlled temperatures. Laboratory tests ensure the milk’s safety, screening for infectious diseases. Only after passing these checks is the milk made available to infants. The milk is provided free of charge.

Milk obtained from the bank can be stored at room temperature for up to six hours or refrigerated for one day. Government hospitals provide milk to recipients based on doctor’s prescriptions. Private hospital patients can also access milk by presenting relevant medical recommendations.