Bengaluru: New human milk bank to begin operations at St. John’s Hospital

Bengaluru will see the launch of a new human milk bank at St. John’s Medical College Hospital on Monday (March 17), aimed at supporting infants who cannot receive their mother’s milk. This initiative is a joint effort by Rotary Bangalore Midtown, MCKS Trust Fund, Karnataka Chapter, and St. John’s Medical College Hospital.

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With only a few such banks currently operating in the city, the new facility is expected to play a crucial role in neonatal care. Premature infants are particularly vulnerable to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a severe intestinal condition that can lead to infections and tissue damage. Access to human milk significantly improves their chances of survival, providing essential anti-inflammatory properties and beneficial bacteria that protect against life-threatening complications.

The facility will feature a fully automated system with a five-litre storage capacity, ensuring a steady supply for newborns in need. Lactating mothers willing to donate will undergo health screenings before contributing milk. The collected milk will be expressed using breast pumps, pasteurized, and stored in BPA-free bottles at -20°C, preserving its nutritional value and safety. Proper storage measures allow the milk to be used for up to six months.

By enhancing access to human milk, this initiative aims to improve neonatal survival rates and provide critical nutrition to vulnerable infants in Bengaluru.