Dhaatri Mothers’ Milk Bank Launched by Pegasystems & Sushena to Support Infant Health in Telangana
Hyderabad, 14th April 2025: Pegasystems Inc. (NASDAQ: PEGA), The Enterprise Transformation CompanyTM, today inaugurated a state-of-the-art Comprehensive Lactation Management Center (CLMC) and Mothers’ Milk Bank at the Government General Hospital (GGH), Mahabubnagar, Telangana.
Led by Deepak Visweswaraiah, senior vice president and managing director, Pega India, and Ddharaniikota Ssuyodhan, head of CSR, this initiative marks a significant step toward addressing neonatal mortality and improving infant health outcomes. Pega India has partnered with the Sushena Health Foundation, a non-profit organization advocating for public healthcare across India. The collaboration sees Pega operating as the knowledge and implementation support partner for the project, which is part of a Pega CSR initiative, supported by a dedicated cross organisational working group called “Prayas”.
Prayas plays a vital role in implementing Pega’s CSR strategy and strives to create an impact on the grassroots level of society, while acting as an anchor for those less privileged. This initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between Pega India and the Sushena Foundation.
The Dhaatri Mothers’ Milk Bank is part of the ‘Mothers’ Absolute Affection (MAA)’ initiative under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and aligns with the goals of the Poshan Abhiyan of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD).
The facility is designed to offer a full range of services related to human milk banking, including:
- Expression of Milk: Supporting lactating mothers in safely expressing breast milk
- Storage: Ensuring optimal conditions for preserving donor milk
- Pasteurization: Processing milk to eliminate harmful pathogens while retaining its nutritional value
- Dispensing Donor Human Milk: Providing safe, nutritious milk to vulnerable neonates
According to the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) in Mahabubnagar, neonatal deaths account for a significant share of infant mortality in India. Leading causes include prematurity, low birth weight, infections, birth asphyxia, and birth trauma, while very few children aged 6–23 months receive an adequate diet, indicating a pressing need for improved infant nutrition.
This initiative aims to ensure access to safe donor milk for infants unable to breastfeed under any circumstances, thereby reducing the risk of neonatal deaths. The CLMC will serve as a critical intervention to prevent avoidable deaths and improve survival rates. The establishment of the milk bank is in line with national health goals under the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health, and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by healthcare professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and other stakeholders dedicated to advancing neonatal care. Dr. Santhosh Kraleti, Senior Public Health Specialist, General Secretary & Founder, Sushena Health Foundation, and Dr. Sampath Kumar Singh, Superintendent, Government General Hospital, Mahabubnagar, Telangana, all attended.
Quotes and Commentary
“At Pega, we believe true progress happens when technology and compassion move together,” said Deepak Visweswaraiah, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Pegasystems India. “We are proud to support the launch of the Dhaatri CLMC and Mothers Milk Bank – a cause that’s deeply personal. The service of a mother is among the highest forms of humanity, and no child should be denied the nourishment they need to survive. By strengthening this critical healthcare infrastructure, we are working toward a future where every newborn gets an equal start”.
Dr. Santhosh Kumar Kraleti, Founder & Secretary, Sushena Health Foundation said, “We have always been deeply committed to advancing equitable healthcare solutions across India. I firmly believe that every newborn deserves a healthy start to life, and this launch in collaboration with Pegasystems and Prayas Team is a meaningful step toward that vision. We are confident that this effort will not only support vulnerable newborns but also contribute to strengthening the public healthcare infrastructure in Telangana”.
