Bharat Serums and Vaccines unveils ‘Project Janani’ to promote breastfeeding education

New Delhi: Bharat Serums & Vaccines (BSV) Ltd. has launched ‘Project Janani,’ to educate and empower mothers across India on effective breastfeeding practices. The project aims to dispel common myths about breastfeeding, provide professional counseling, and equip mothers with the knowledge they need to successfully nurse their newborns.  

In collaboration with the ARTIST Academy, BSV will provide specialized training for healthcare workers, including nurses, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, and Anganwadi workers.

These workers will undergo a certified Breastfeeding Facilitator course designed to ensure that primary healthcare providers are fully equipped to support and advocate for breastfeeding within their communities. The training will help build a network of local champions, giving mothers better access to support and education on breastfeeding. 

The Breastfeeding Facilitator course, recognized by the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), has also received support from major healthcare organizations, including the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and the South Asia Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SAFOG). The initiative is spearheaded by the collective efforts of BSV’s medical team, along with Dr. Hema Divakar from ARTIST Academy, Dr. Jaydeep Tank, President of FOGSI, and Dr. Hrishikesh Pai.

“Empowering mothers by counselling them on breastfeeding not only nurtures health and development, but also strengthens the foundation of a healthier society. These programs 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,” explained Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, Past President of FOGSI and Trustee of FIGO Asia Oceania Region.

BSV’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Swashraya Shah, highlighted, “WHO estimates only 44% 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, Chair of the Nutrition and Breastfeeding Committee at SAFOG, and CEO of ARTIST Academy, stressed, “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.”

FOGSI President, Dr. Jaydeep Tank, echoed these sentiments, “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.”

FOGSI’s Secretary General, Dr. Madhuri Patel, added, “In India, many mothers encounter challenges like lack of awareness, inadequate lactation support, and cultural barriers. The JANANI program addresses these issues by training paramedics to provide expert counselling and support, empowering mothers with the guidance they need for successful breastfeeding.”