KOCHI: For the first time in Kerala, breast milk bank, which started in Kochi, will open in Thrissur next month. The plan is to start breast milk banks in all districts with the help of mothers. Actress and presenter Pearle Maaney is the brand ambassador.

Breast milk bank was first started at Ernakulam General Hospital. Minister KK Shailaja inaugurated the Nectar of Life project via video conference. The aim is to provide breast milk to infants up to 6 months of age who do not receive breast milk. This is as part of Rotary District 3201's community service projects.

Breast milk bank will also start functioning at Thrissur Jubilee Mission Hospital. The cost for the project at these two places is Rs 47 lakh. The former governor of the Rotary district R.S. Madhav Chandran said that the project would be implemented statewide as per the reception.

Free breast milk will be initially made available for newborns admitted to the intensive care unit of the General Hospital. Breastmilk donors are those who have given birth in a hospital and have access to health information. Pasteurized milk can be used for up to six months. The breast milk bank is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as pasteurization unit, refrigerators, deep freezers, breast pump, RO plant and sterilizing equipment. It is a collaboration between the Neonatology Forum, the Indian Association of Pediatricians, the Indian Medical Association and the Cochin Gynaec Society.