Safdarjung Hospital marked a significant milestone in neonatal healthcare on December 11, 2024, with the inauguration of its Lactation Management Unit (LMU).

Mahesh Dhoundiyal - Delhi

Medical Superintendent Dr. Sandeep Bansal emphasized the critical importance of milk banks, terming them "the need of the hour" and aligning with the Government of India's mandate to establish milk banks in every newborn unit nationwide. This LMU will annually benefit 2000 outborn neonates who are admitted in Mother-NICU of Safdarjung Hospital.  Studies have shown breastfeeding can add 626 Million USD to India’s economy and improved neurodevelopmental outcomes with three additional IQ points for children who are breastfed.

Principal VMMC Dr. Geetika Khanna underscored the profound potential of this initiative, asserting that the milk bank facility will substantially reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity at Safdarjung Hospital. Dr. Ratan Gupta, Head of the Department of Pediatrics, acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the launch, crediting the support from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the hospital administration.

The context of this achievement is particularly significant given India's challenging healthcare landscape. The country experiences 27 million births annually, with a concerning neonatal mortality rate of 20 deaths per 1,000 live births, informed Dr Sugandha Arya unit in charge MOTHER NEWBORN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (MNICU). The newly established 40-bedded Level 3 Mother-NICU unit represents a transformative approach to pediatric care, providing both expressed mother's own milk and donor human milk while maintaining a zero separation policy for mothers and infants. Dr Rhea Shriyan, Assistant Professor , currently looking after Mother-NICU said that mothers milk is the best food for newborns, and this will provide access to every small and sick newborn to mother’s own milk or donor human milk. In India, most of the lactation management units are working for same hospital born babies( intramural babies). This is the first LMU for referred babies among central government hospitals. This became possible because the hospital has established MNICU where mothers are admitted with newborns with the policy of zero separation of mother and baby.

A proactive and comprehensive response to India's pressing neonatal health challenges, demonstrating a committed approach to improving infant care and survival rates. Also with India contributing to 25% of the global preterm burden, it is estimated that 3/4^th reduction in mortality is possible with cost effective and feasible interventions, like breastfeeding. It has the potential to prevent 1,60,000 under-five deaths in India each year.

Dr Sandeep Bansal stated that the LMU at Safdarjung Hospital stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing how targeted healthcare initiatives can make a substantial difference in the most vulnerable population's lives. By prioritizing neonatal nutrition and maternal-infant bonding, the hospital is setting a new standard in comprehensive pediatric care.