New Delhi: A lactation management unit (LMU), which aims to provide support for 2,000 out-born neonates admitted to Safdarjung Hospital‘s mother-NICU annually, was inaugurated on Wednesday.
Officials said that this LMU is pioneering among central govt hospitals, as it focuses on referred babies, unlike most units that serve only hospital-born (intramural) babies. This achievement stems from the hospital’s Mother-NICU establishment, which maintains a zero-separation policy between mothers and newborns.
Studies indicate that proper breastfeeding could contribute $626 million to India’s economy. Additionally, breast-fed infants demonstrate enhanced neurodevelopmental outcomes, showing a three-point increase in IQ scores.
Dr Sandeep Bansal, medical superintendent, emphasised the timely establishment of milk banks, which aligns with govt’s directive to all national newborn care facilities.
Dr Geetika Khanna, principal of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), highlighted that this facility would reduce infant mortality and morbidity rates at Safdarjung.
The 40-bed level 3 mother-NICU facility offers both expressed mother’s milk and donor human milk, while maintaining the zero-separation policy between mothers and babies.
Dr Ratan Gupta, head of the pediatrics department, recognises the ministry of health and family welfare and hospital administration’s support in this initiative.
According to Dr Sugandha Arya, MNICU unit in-charge, India records 27 million births annually, with a neonatal mortality rate of 20 per 1,000 live births.
Dr Rhea Shriyan, assistant professor overseeing Mother-NICU, emphasised that mothers’ milk is optimal for newborns.
This initiative addresses India’s neonatal health challenges, focusing on improving infant care and survival rates. With India representing 25% of global pre-term births, cost-effective interventions like breastfeeding could reduce mortality by three-quarters, potentially preventing 160,000 under-five deaths annually in India.
