Punjab scripted a history with launching its' first Human Milk Bank (Comprehensive Lactation Mangement Centre), at Dr. B R Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali with the support of Rotary Club of Chandigarh.
The World President of Rotary International Dr. Gorden R. McInally inaugurated the State’s first Human Milk Bank, at Mohali. Dr. Gordon R. McInally commended Rotary’s endeavors in establishing this Center which also supports Rotary’s commitment to empower women, improving their health, and well-being, by protecting their children.
Dr Avnish, Director Research and Medical Education Punjab endorsed and appreciated the efforts of Rotarians for expediting the setting up of the plant by financial support of nearly Rs 38 lakh to buy vital equipment for the plant which would help the women provide best possible nutrition to their new born through this human milk bank.It is an example of a Public Private Partnership. S. Kuljit Singh MLA Dera Bassi also attended the function and appreciated the efforts made.
AIMS Director-Principal Dr. Bhavneet Bharti informed that at the initiative of the Past President Rotary International Mr Rajender Saboo, President Rtn Anil Chadda and Rtn. Abha Sharma, Director Special Projects and who shall also be the club President in 2025-26, an MoU was signed in July last year with the Rotary Club of Chandigarh for setting up this unique facility in Punjab.Also called as Comprehensive Lactation Management Centre (CLMC), Human Milk Bank is a vital health facility that offers lactation support and management for all mothers within the hospital, said Dr. Bharti.
She said that the Centre has facilities for collection, screening, processing, storage and dispensing of donated human milk for babies without access to their own mother's milk and expression and storage of mother's own breast milk for consumption of her baby.
Former World President of Rotary International Rajendra K. Saboo was also present on the occasion who said that this project symbolizes the Rotary’s theme given by Dr. McInally, Create Hope in the World. A senior Rotarian and past district governor Subhash Garg, owner of Ruchira Papers Limited of Yamunanagar, was felicitated for providing Rs.31 lakh from CSR funds to make this project possible.
Dr. Bhavneet Bharti informed that this is the first milk bank to be operationalised in Punjab. AIMS Mohali is proud to be at the forefront of a groundbreaking initiative - the establishment of the First Human Milk Bank in our city.
There is a dire need for human milk especially for the preterm babies (born before 37 weeks of gestation) and their estimated global prevalence is 9.9 percent which translates to 13·4 million preterm live births in the world .
In this region, we too have similar requirements because as per a study, 10 to 20 percent of the babies who are in the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit] may require donor human milk, Dr. Bharti said. The milk is obtained from lactating mothers voluntarily, which will be stored and preserved, pasteurized, and preserved, she said.
It was emphasized that this would be accomplished with the state-of-the-art facility including firsthand knowledge of the advanced technology and stringent protocols in place to guarantee the highest standards of safety and quality
Mrs Abha, Director, Special Projects and President Rotary Club Chandigarh 2025-26 also acknowledged the setting up of the first Human Milk Bank as a momentous occasion, and said it will play a vital role in amplifying awareness about the importance of human milk donation and its transformative impact on infant healthcare.
Mrs Aashika Jain DC Mohali lauded this landmark initiative that underscores our commitment to advancing maternal and infant healthcare in the state of Punjab.Prof ON Bhakoo, former Head of the department of Pediatrics and Neonatology also known as father of neonatology appreciated the efforts made in setting up a Comprehensive Lactation Management Center in true spirit.
The function was attended by many senior officials, SMO DH Mohali Dr HS Cheema, Senior Rotarians, President of Human Milk Banking Association Mr Rajender Gulati, President IAP Chandigarh Chapter, Sahibzada Academy of Pediatrics Mohali. Senior Pediatricians and other dignitaries.
Rotary Club of Chandigarh is in 65 years of its existence in the city and has to its credit setting up of Rotary PGI Serai, state-of-the-art blood bank in Sector 37, a Rotary Vocational Training Centre in Sector 18, international dolls museum in Sector 23, besides having done over 700 free heart surgeries of children, informed Rtn President Anil Chadha.