Bharat Serums and Vaccines launches Project Janani to educate women on breastfeeding practices

Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV) has launched Project Janani to educate mothers on effective breastfeeding practices. The initiative aims to dispel myths, provide counselling, and offer guidance on breastfeeding. As part of the project, BSV has partnered with ARTIST Academy to train healthcare workers, including nurses, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), and Anganwadi workers, through a specialised Breastfeeding Facilitator course.

The project seeks to extend healthcare support to mothers and equip them with the skills necessary for successful breastfeeding. The trained healthcare providers will serve as advocates for breastfeeding in their local communities. Training was conducted under the supervision of Dr Hema Divakar from ARTIST Academy.

The Breastfeeding Facilitator course is certified by the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), with support from the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and the South Asia Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SAFOG). Project Janani is a collaboration between the BSV medical team and healthcare professionals, including Dr Hema Divakar, Dr Jaydeep Tank, President of FOGSI, and Dr Hrishikesh Pai.

Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Past President of FOGSI, explained the importance of breastfeeding for both mothers and children. He stated, “Empowering mothers by counselling them on breastfeeding not only nurtures health and development but also strengthens the foundation of a healthier society. These programmes foster community support, reduce healthcare costs, and promote a culture of care, ensuring that every child has the best start in life. When we invest in breastfeeding education, we invest in the well-being of future generations and give every ‘JANANI’ the right guidance she deserves.”

Dr Swashraya Shah, Chief Medical Officer of BSV, outlined the company’s mission for the project, saying, “As leaders in women’s health, it is our responsibility to educate and build awareness on various aspects of motherhood like breastfeeding. WHO estimates only 44 per cent of infants are exclusively breastfed globally for the first six months of their life, and this leads to serious cases of undernutrition and compromises the infant’s immune system. Through behaviour-shaping initiatives such as Project Janani, our goal is to simplify breastfeeding for every new mother, enhance immunity of newborns, and support overall good health including emotional connect.”

Dr Hema Divakar, CEO and Chairman of ARTIST Academy, emphasised the need for support in breastfeeding practices. She noted, “Breastfeeding isn’t easy, and everyone has a different experience. As a healthcare professional, we are responsible to provide a helping hand and support to mothers who choose to breastfeed their baby, and by building the capacity of breastfeeding facilitators, we ensure that the right message reaches the new mothers. This will empower them to do their best.”

Dr Jaydeep Tank, President of FOGSI, highlighted the project’s role in addressing the knowledge gap in breastfeeding practices. He stated, “Janani aims to enhance maternal health outcomes along with promoting breastfeeding practices in India by training last-mile healthcare providers like nurses, Anganwadi and ASHA workers. This initiative aims to address the knowledge gap in breastfeeding practices by educating both mothers and healthcare professionals. It focuses on promoting breastfeeding as a method for better child health and survival. Since breast milk gives the infant the very nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes that they need to grow and develop; we must all work together to increase breastfeeding rates and knowledge.”

Dr Madhuri Patel, Secretary General of FOGSI, pointed out the challenges faced by mothers in India. She stated, “In India, many mothers encounter challenges like lack of awareness, inadequate lactation support, and cultural barriers. The JANANI programme addresses these issues by training paramedics to provide expert counseling and support, empowering mothers with the guidance they need for successful breastfeeding. Through this initiative, we aim to help women take a confident step toward embracing their role as a Janani.”

Project Janani is a collaborative effort to support and educate mothers on breastfeeding, combining the expertise of BSV, ARTIST Academy, FOGSI, and SAFOG. The programme aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes across India by educating both mothers and healthcare professionals.