CMHO Inspects Mother Milk Bank

Udaipur:  Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Shankar Bamnia inspected the Mother Milk Bank at MB Hospital on Friday. He was accompanied by Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Prem Ninama. The Nodal Officer and Professor of the Pediatric Department, Dr. B.L. Meghwal, provided an overview of the bank's activities and gave a tour of all the divisions. Dr. Meghwal shared that this is North India's first human milk bank, initially named Divya Mother Milk Bank, now operating as the Comprehensive Lactation Management Centre, Udaipur. Dr. Bamnia praised the national recognition of the Mother Milk Bank and commended the efforts of the officials and staff involved.

**North India's Leading Milk Donation Bank**

During the inspection, it was highlighted that the bank currently holds the record for the highest milk donation in North India. It provides pasteurized donated human milk to the most children and addresses lactation-related issues for the most mothers. The primary goal is to ensure that every newborn receives breast milk, to empower every mother to breastfeed her child, and to solve lactation problems so that mothers can effectively nurse their babies.

Dr. Meghwal explained that their team works to identify potential milk donors, motivate them, conduct health checks, facilitate milk donation, pasteurize the donated human milk, test it for safety through culture sensitivity, and store it at -20 degrees Celsius if it is infection-free. The milk is then supplied to all needy newborns. The entire process, including milk donation and distribution, is completely free of charge.

**Dedicated Team**

Dr. Bamnia was informed that the bank operates under the principal of RNT Medical College and the superintendent of MB Hospital, with Dr. B.L. Meghwal as the Nodal Officer. The dedicated team includes Nursing Officer Ms. Bhavna Joshi, Mrs. Manorama Darangi, Mrs. Sita Bhil, Mrs. Bhavna Kalal, Mrs. Santosh Meena, Mrs. Kalpana Patel, Mrs. Tina Ninama, Mrs. Chandrarekha, Mrs. Mohini, Mrs. Kaushalya Komal Menaria, Kusum, and Shanti, all serving with great dedication.