Pune hosts first White Carpet Walk for Donor Moms at D Y Patil Medical College, Hospital on World Human Milk Donation Day

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Pune : Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre celebrated World Human Milk Donation Day by hosting a White Carpet Walk in honour of the lactating mothers who have donated milk.

The walk conducted in the hospital premises was inaugurated by Dr. J. S. Bhawalkar, Dean, Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre in the esteemed presence of Dr. H.H Chavan, Medical Superintendent, Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre; Dr. Shailaja Mane, Head, Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College; Hospital and Research Centre along with donor mothers and the healthcare workforce.

 The awareness drive was a great success backed by the support of Dr. P.D. Patil, Chancellor, Dr. D.Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Dr. Bhagyashree P. Patil, Pro-Chancellor, Dr. D.Y Patil Vidyapeeth and Dr. Yashraj Patil, Trustee and Treasurer, Dr. D.Y Patil Vidyapeeth Society.

The White Carpet Walk witnessed participation from 40+ donor mothers. This was followed by a felicitation ceremony for donor mothers and an awareness session highlighting the significance of donating human milk and its benefits for the mothers as well.

As per findings, 1 out of every 10 women in India cannot produce enough breast milk to nurse their babies for various reasons. As a result, this impacts the child’s overall rearing, and people resort to alternatives that compromise the overall nutritional supply as required. Human Milk Bank donations are dedicated to ensuring the babies of these mothers are not deprived of the nutritional value they receive through breast milk.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Bhagyashree P. Patil, Pro-Chancellor, Dr. D.Y Patil Vidyapeeth said “We realized this grave concern in our society was spreading like wildfire and opened up the first milk donation bank in Pune. This initiative was directed towards spreading awareness about the concept of human milk donation and encouraging capable mothers to come forward and join the cause. We at Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre are always inclined towards supporting various causes in the best interest of our communities.”

 Dr. Shailaja Mane, Head, Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre said, “India is home to the world’s largest population and hence has the maximum number of premature babies in the world. However, the ratio of milk banks available in India to cater to premature babies is highly disproportional, and this is the case in metro cities in India. Secondly, awareness about milk donation is extremely poor in Pune and across the country. This initiative is focused on educating society on the significance and benefits donating of breast milk and encouraging lactating mothers to join this initiative”.

Shruti Aundhkar, a donor mother said, “The importance of milk donation was well explained to me after which I decided to join this cause without shying away. The process of milk collection to milk storage is very easy and smooth in this hospital. Breast milk is a gift from God and donating it can give life to so many other babies who are deprived of their mother’s milk for various reasons. Today, I am a mother of two children, but by donating milk, I get the satisfaction of being a mother of many and I am proud to say that. I am thankful to the hospital for honouring me today.”

Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre is home to one of the first state-of-the-art lactation clinics, comprising a tech-driven process to collect and store breast milk for as long as 6 to 12 months. The holistic goal of this initiative is to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding through a sustained supply of donor human milk, as the ingredients found in human milk cannot be manufactured. As a result, awareness for breast milk donation and collection is crucial to the future of our country, and Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre is humbled to support this cause.

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