A Landscape Analysis of Human Milk Banks in India

Objective: To evaluate the existing status of human milk banks in India with reference toinfrastructure, human resources, funding mechanisms, operating procedures and qualityassurance. Methods: A pretested questionnaire was administered to 16 out of 22 human milkbanks across India, operational for more than one year prior to commencing the study.Results: 11 (69%) milk banks were in government or charitable hospitals; only 2 (12.5%)were established with government funding. 8 (50%) had a dedicated technician and only1(6%) had more than five lactation counsellors. Milk was collected predominantly frommothers of sick babies and in postnatal care wards followed by pediatric outpatientdepartments, camps, satellite centers, and homes. 10 (63%) reported gaps between donormilk demand and supply. 12 (75%) used shaker water bath pasteurizer and cooled the milkmanually without monitoring temperature, and 4 (25%) pooled milk under the laminar airflow.10 (63%) tracked donor to recipient and almost all did not collect data on early initiation,exclusive breastfeeding or human milk feeding. Conclusion: Our study reports the gaps ofmilk banking practices in India, which need to be addressed for strengthening them. Gapsinclude suboptimal financial support from the government, shortage of key human resources,processes and data gaps, and demand supply gap of donor human milk.

Trend Analysis Of Leprosy Cases At A Primary Health Centre In Thane District Of Maharashtra

Introduction: India reports more than 60% of leprosy cases. The state of Maharashtra reported more than 15000 new cases in the year 2015-16. These figures show that we are miles away from the ultimate goal of leprosy eradication. This study was planned to analyse trends of Leprosy in a PHC located in Thane district of Maharashtra. Objectives: 1) To analyze the trends of leprosy cases in study area. 2) To give recommendations on the basis of study data. Results: The number of new cases reported fluctuates over the five year period. But the %MB cases have remained high and fairly constant which are comparable to national and state average. The % of children among Leprosy patients is on a rise with every 3rd patient being a child in last year of this Trend Analysis. The Prevalence Rate was 3.6/10000 in 2012 which went up in subsequent year and settled down at 4.4 for years 2015 and 2016. The ANCDR on other hand also went up in 2013 and has shown a gradual decline between years 2014 – 2016. Conclusion: This 5 year short term study shows that though it was difficult to absolutely conclude a rising or a decreasing trend, however, the Prevalence rate of leprosy cases in study area remained constant and the ANCDR showed a decline over most of study period.