Shuttle hero Jwala Gutta donates 14.5 litres of breast milk via Amirtham for critically ill infants

Hyderabad: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, champion badminton player Jwala Gutta has donated 14,500 ml of breast milk to benefit premature and critically ill infants who cannot receive adequate breast milk from their mothers.

The donation, made through Chennai-based Amirtham Foundation, was handed over to the government-run Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children (ICH), Egmore, Chennai.

Help from 5,000 mothers

Gutta’s contribution amounts to 70 packets of breast milk, carefully collected and stored for use by infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Amirtham Foundation, a voluntary group of over 5,000 lactating mothers, announced the donation with a message: “We are happy to share that we have successfully collected 70 milk packets (14,500 ml) from our new donor mother Jwala Gutta.”

The organisation praised the gesture on social media too: “Champions Are Not Made In Stadiums But Also In Milk Banks.”

On her part, Gutta urged others to consider donating. Posting on X, she wrote, “Breast milk saves lives. For premature and sick babies, donor milk can be life-changing. If you are able to donate, you could be a hero to a family in need.”

Why donor breast milk matters

Breast milk is widely recognised as the best source of nutrition for infants, providing antibodies and nutrients that formula milk cannot replicate.

According to paediatricians, it significantly reduces the risk of infections, gut complications, and mortality in premature babies.

However, many mothers with preterm deliveries face challenges such as delayed lactation, insufficient milk production, or health complications, leaving their infants vulnerable. This gap is where human milk banks and donor programmes play a vital role.

Dr R Meenakshi, a neonatologist speaking to NewsMeter, explained, “Donor human milk acts as a bridge for premature infants until their own mothers can establish breastfeeding. Without it, these babies are at high risk of sepsis and necrotising enterocolitis, both of which can be life-threatening.”

India has fewer than 100 functional milk banks

Despite increasing awareness, India faces a shortage of breast milk banks.

According to health data, the country has fewer than 100 functional milk banks, while the demand from NICUs is far greater. Many hospitals rely on voluntary organisations like Amirtham Foundation to fill this critical gap.

Experts emphasise that donations like Gutta’s are not only symbolic but also highlight the urgent need to normalise breast milk donation as a public health practice.

Become a member

Amirtham Foundation has been instrumental in connecting lactating mothers with hospitals in need. With more than 5,000 registered members, the group regularly mobilises donations to serve premature babies across Tamil Nadu.

By becoming a donor, Gutta joins a growing network of mothers advocating for infant health and survival through milk sharing. Her act is expected to raise visibility for milk banking and encourage other women to step forward.

Celebrities’ involvement can dismantle taboos

Public health specialists believe that celebrity-led initiatives can help dismantle cultural hesitations around breast milk donation. While the government has been setting up human milk banks in select hospitals, the scale of need requires broader participation.

As Gutta’s post highlighted, breast milk is not just nourishment but a life-saving resource: “For premature and sick babies, donor milk can be life-changing. If you are able to donate, you could be a hero to a family in need.”

Her contribution underscores the potential of individual action in addressing systemic shortages and improving neonatal survival rates.