Sion Hospital, home to Asia’s first breast milk bank, has received lifesaving donations from over 43,000 mothers, benefitting more than 10,500 newborns in the last five years. This milestone, revealed during National Breastfeeding Month held in August, highlights the critical role of breast milk donation in reducing mortality rates among at-risk infants.
Established in 1989, the bank operates similarly to a blood bank, collecting excess milk from nursing mothers. The donated milk undergoes rigorous testing and pasteurisation before being stored at -20°C. This vital resource supports premature babies, those with low birth weight, and infants whose mothers face postnatal complications.
Sion Hospital’s success has inspired similar initiatives across Western India, with the facility now serving as a Zonal Reference Centre. As awareness grows, more mothers are stepping forward to donate, ensuring that vulnerable newborns receive the best possible start in life.
