Hyderabad declared India’s first ‘Formula-Free City’ at LAMBCON 2026 hosted by Yashoda Hospitals
The sixth South Asia LAMBCON 2026 concluded in Hyderabad with organisers unveiling the Deccan Declaration and announcing the city as India’s first ‘Formula-Free City’. The conference focused on breastfeeding, lactation support and expanding human milk banking infrastructure
Hyderabad: The sixth UNICEF South Asia Chapter LAMBCON 2026 concluded at Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec City, on Sunday, with organisers unveiling the Deccan Declaration and announcing Hyderabad as India’s first ‘Formula-Free City’.
The three-day international conference, held from October 2 to 4, was organised by the Sushena Health Foundation and Dhaatri Mothers’ Milk Bank in collaboration with UNICEF India. It was inaugurated by Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, along with former Union Health Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Yashoda Group chairman Gorukanti Ravinder Rao.
Held under the theme ‘From Evidence to Impact: Transforming Newborn Care Through Breastfeeding and Human Milk Banking’, the conference brought together more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, clinicians and nutritionists.
Discussions focused on the gap in human milk banking infrastructure in India. According to the organisers, the country requires more than 1,000 human milk banks across hospitals, while only 65 to 70 are currently operational.
A key highlight of the conference was the launch of the Yashodamma Mother’s Milk Bank at Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec City. The facility is the 11th human milk bank established in Hyderabad by the Sushena Health Foundation, the organisers said.
The organisers also announced a dedicated lactation helpline to provide support to nursing mothers.
