Mercy Health neonatologist Dr Ranmali Rodrigo is now double the doctor, having recently completed her PhD investigating the safe storage and transport of breastmilk for premature babies.
In many western countries like Australia, mothers with babies in neonatal units express and store their breast milk at home and transport it to the hospital. However, in Sri Lanka, mothers are expected to stay in hospital continuously throughout their baby’s stay, as there are no established guidelines ensuring safe transport and storage of expressed breastmilk in the local setting. This can be difficult if they have other children at home they need to care for.
Awarded by La Trobe University under the supervision of Professors Lisa Amir and Della Forster, and mentored by Dr Gillian Opie and others, Ranmali’s PhD involved collaborators at Sri Lanka’s University of Kelaniya. Her research investigated guidelines on transport of expressed breastmilk in neonatal units in Australia and Sri Lanka.
“My research identified safe durations of transport for mother’s milk in a tropical country using different methods,” said Ranmali.
“These findings have enabled more women to travel from home when a newborn is in hospital, enabling them to attend to other essential family commitments.”
By identifying potential gaps in the system of safe storage and transport locally, Ranmali’s findings are also benefitting patients in Mercy Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nurseries.
Importantly, Ranmali’s research suggests that a consensus statement of recommendations on handling expressed breastmilk should be developed for each region.
“Sri Lankan mothers with babies in neonatal units should have the freedom to commute from home if they wish, supported by guidelines for the safe transport of expressed breastmilk to hospital,” said Ranmali.
Congratulations Ranmali – we’re so proud of your achievements and contribution to improving health outcomes for some of our most vulnerable patients and their mothers.
– Dr Ranmali Rodrigo
Last reviewed March 4, 2025.
