Human Milk Bank in Tirupati Turns a Lifeline for Vulnerable Newborns

 Tirupati: As World Breastfeeding Week begins on Friday, August 1, the Rotary Human Milk Bank at the Government Maternity Hospital in Tirupati has emerged as a vital initiative offering safe and life-sustaining breast milk to newborns who are unable to receive it from their mothers.

Set up on April 3, 2024, with financial support of Rs 30 lakh from the Rotary Club of Tirupati, the bank has, within a year, emerged as a dependable source of nourishment for fragile infants.

The Tirupati Government Maternity Hospital sees over 1,200 deliveries annually. The need for donated human milk is critical, especially for preterm or sick babies admitted to the neonatal ICU. “Many mothers are unable to feed their babies due to health complications or delayed lactation. In such cases, donor milk becomes the safest option,” said K. Bhuvaneswari, manager of the milk bank. “From April to December 2024, 643 mothers have donated milk. In 2025 so far, 459 mothers have come forward. Awareness is slowly increasing,” she underlined.

Lactating mothers who wish to donate surplus milk are required to undergo thorough medical screening. Tests for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are conducted in line with national safety protocols. Once cleared and after taking written consent, donor mothers’ milk is collected using sterile breast pumps.

“Once we receive the milk, it is pasteurised at 62.5°C for 30 minutes using the Holder method. This kills harmful pathogens while preserving essential nutrients and antibodies. After pasteurisation, it’s rapidly cooled and stored at – 20°C in deep freezers. The milk is tested both before and after pasteurisation to ensure complete safety and is used within six months”, explained a staff at the milk bank.

The milk bank provides around 30 ml of breast milk daily per infant based on medical need, mainly to NICU patients and children undergoing treatment at Padmavathi Children’s Heart Centre run and managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

“We provide counselling to all postnatal mothers about milk donation. Many of them want to donate, but are discouraged by their families. We explain the safety measures and how their milk could save another child’s life,” said Bhuvaneswari.

According to experts, breast milk donation supports a steady milk flow, eases discomfort from engorgement and benefits the mother’s health. Nurses at the milk bank note that many donors experience a deep sense of joy and purpose, knowing their milk is giving other babies a better chance at life.

“After feeding my baby, I still had extra milk. When the nurse explained how it could help a sick baby survive, I felt happy about donating it. Knowing another child is getting stronger because of my milk is incredibly satisfying,” said Swathi, a donor mother from Tirupati.

Tirupati’s Human Milk Bank has now become a model for other regions. Inspired by its success, two more human milk banks are coming up in Andhra Pradesh. As a part of community service, the Rotary Club of Vijayawada has taken up a permanent human milk bank project through Andhra Hospitals, aimed at supporting neonates unable to receive breast milk from their own mothers.

In Visakhapatnam, King George Hospital (KGH) is also preparing to start a human milk bank with the help of the Sushena Health Foundation. “We have identified a location inside the Gynaecology Ward for the milk bank. An MoU with the Sushena Foundation will be signed shortly. We expect the facility to become operational in the next two to three months,” said KGH superintendent Dr. I. Vani.