Rajasthan Promotes Breast Milk Donation Through Yashoda Mothers

Rajasthan’s breast milk donation programme includes the Mother Milk Bank at Barmer District Hospital, the state-run human milk bank Jeevan Dhara in Jaipur, and the Yashoda programme under the Norway-India Partnership Initiative. The Barmer facility has collected 29,882 units of milk since 4 March 2018 and has supported 3,165 newborn babies.

Human Milk Banks in India

Human milk banks collect, screen, process, store, and distribute donated breast milk for newborns who cannot receive milk from their mothers. These banks are used in neonatal care units and are linked with lactation support, infection screening, and safe storage systems.

Barmer District Hospital Mother Milk Bank

The Mother Milk Bank at Barmer District Hospital had 3,523 women registered as Yashoda Mothers by 11 May 2026. The bank stores milk at minus 19 degrees Celsius, and donated milk can be preserved for up to six months. All donated samples undergo HIV screening and infection testing before processing and preservation. On 11 May 2026, 220 units, equal to 6,600 ml, were in storage at the facility.

Jeevan Dhara and Aanchal Mother Milk Bank

Jeevan Dhara was inaugurated at Mahila Chikitsalaya on 27 March 2015 in collaboration with the Norwegian government and JK Lon Hospital. In Bhilwara, Raksha Jain donated 160.81 litres of milk to the Aanchal Mother Milk Bank between June 2018 and November 2023, and the milk supported more than 5,000 feeds for children.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Barmer District Hospital Mother Milk Bank started on 4 March 2018.
• The bank at Barmer stores human milk at minus 19 degrees Celsius.
• Jeevan Dhara was Rajasthan’s first state-run human milk bank.
• The Yashoda programme has operated under the Norway-India Partnership Initiative since 2008.

Maternal and Neonatal Care Context

The Yashoda programme was introduced under the Norway-India Partnership Initiative in 2008. Its framework includes immediate breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding for maternal and neonatal care.