Milk bank launched at private hospital as Hyderabad eyes ‘Formula-Free City’ status

The three-day 6th UNICEF South Asia Chapter LAMBCON 2026, a comprehensive international conference on lactation management, human milk banking and breastfeeding, concluded in Hyderabad on Sunday, with the participation of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals and delegates from India and abroad.

A key development at the conference was the launch of the ‘Yashodamma Mother’s Milk Bank’ at Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec City, by Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla.

The conference, organised by the Sushena Health Foundation (SHF) and Dhaatri Mothers’ Milk Bank in collaboration with national and international partners, including UNICEF India, was held from October 2 to 4 at Yashoda Hospitals, HiTech City.

The conference also witnessed the unveiling of the Deccan Declaration, under which the Sushena Health Foundation and its partners announced an initiative aimed at making Hyderabad a ‘Formula-Free City’ by strengthening breastfeeding and human milk banking infrastructure.

Speaking at the event, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla described the initiative as a beacon of hope. 

Santhosh Kumar Kraleti, founder and general secretary of Sushena Health Foundation, said India needed more than 1,000 human milk banks across hospitals, while currently only around 65 to 70 such facilities are available.

UNICEF India Chief for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka Zelalem Taffesse highlighted breastfeeding as one of the most cost-effective health interventions.