A Rotary human milk bank in Coimbatore

Over the last two-and-half years, the Mother’s Milk Bank set up at the Sri ­Ramakrishna Hospital by RC Coimbatore Cotton City, RID 3201, has collected 1,000 litres of milk donated by more than 300 lactating mothers, benefitting over 415 newborns.

Inaugurated in August 2021, this facility entirely supported through member contribution, was completed in a record time of 100 days. Now it has two ATMs — Any Time Milk — one, attached to the ­Women’s Centre by Motherhood ­Hospital, ­Coimbatore, and the ­second one is housed at the Rural Health ­Centre, Pachapalayam, a unit of Sri ­Ramakrishna Hospital. “A team of volunteers, doctors and Rotarians, called Nectar Bees, collect the surplus milk from the homes of lactating mothers to ensure a seamless process of donation,” said Dr Neetika Prabu, secretary, RC Coimbatore Cotton City.

The two ATMs serve as both ­collection and distribution centres, facilitating donation of pasturised, mother’s milk to vulnerable infants. “The ATMs run in coordination with the main milk bank at the ­Ramakrishna Hospital in ­Avarampalayam,” said ­Neetika. Explaining the process, she said the donated milk is being ­rigorously tested and undergoes ­pasturisation in a state-of the-art ­facility provided by the club. After this process, it is stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius, ensuring its efficacy for up to six months.

Easy access

The breast milk can be obtained by submitting a prescription from a neonatologist and approval of doctors at the Ramakrishna Hospital. “This inclusive approach ensures that no infant is deprived of the benefits of mother’s milk due to financial constraints,” she said. During the anniversary events of the milk bank, donors are honoured each year with mementos and certificates.

During World Breastfeeding Week (first week of Aug), the club’s project team holds walkathons and promotional events to highlight the importance of donating mother’s milk as it saves vulnerable, weak infants. “Our club has provided the medical equipment and logistic support to the facility, while our members take up events to create awareness on donation of mother’s milk,” she said. The milk bank has received good support from local NGOs such as Achintaya Milk Drive and the Coimbatore Parenting Network, thus enabling “us to leverage their extensive network of mothers and volunteers.”