Yashoda Programme-Rajasthan Breast Milk Donation Programme

May 11, 2026

Overview

Rajasthan is doing great work to save newborn babies. The state has set up human milk banks. These banks collect breast milk from healthy mothers. Then they give it to babies whose own mothers cannot feed them. The Barmer Mother Milk Bank has already helped over 3,000 babies. The Jeevan Dhara bank in Jaipur was the first state-run milk bank in Rajasthan. The Yashoda programme runs with help from Norway. This topic is important for medical and nursing exams.

What Is a Human Milk Bank?

A human milk bank is a safe place. It collects breast milk from donating mothers. Then it checks the milk for germs and diseases. After that, it processes and stores the milk. Finally, it gives the milk to newborn babies who need it. These banks help babies in neonatal care units.

Rajasthan’s Main Milk Banks

Rajasthan has several milk banks. The most important ones are:

Mother Milk Bank at Barmer District Hospital
Jeevan Dhara at Mahila Chikitsalaya in Jaipur
Aanchal Mother Milk Bank in Bhilwara

All these banks follow strict safety rules.

Barmer Mother Milk Bank: Key Numbers

This bank started on 4 March 2018. By 11 May 2026, it had collected 29,882 units of milk. It has supported 3,165 newborn babies. Also, 3,523 women have registered as Yashoda Mothers. On 11 May 2026, the bank had 220 units in storage. That equals 6,600 ml of milk.

How Does Barmer Store Milk?

The Barmer bank stores milk at minus 19 degrees Celsius. At this cold temperature, donated milk stays safe for up to six months. Every sample goes through HIV screening and infection testing. Only clean and safe milk is given to babies.

Jeevan Dhara: Rajasthan’s First State-Run Milk Bank

Jeevan Dhara opened on 27 March 2015. It is at Mahila Chikitsalaya in Jaipur. The Norwegian government and JK Lon Hospital helped build it. This bank was the first of its kind run by the Rajasthan state government.

Aanchal Milk Bank in Bhilwara: A Donor’s Story

In Bhilwara, a woman named Raksha Jain donated 160.81 litres of milk. She donated between June 2018 and November 2023. That milk helped provide more than 5,000 feeds to children. This shows how one donor can save many lives.

What Is the Yashoda Programme?

Yashoda is a special programme. It started in 2008 under the Norway-India Partnership Initiative. The programme promotes immediate breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. It also supports milk banks. Yashoda mothers are healthy women who donate extra breast milk to save other babies.