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COMMUNITY OUTREACH VAN
FIRST HUMAN MILK BANK IN STATE OF PUNJAB : Nurturing Tiny Lives
The Rotary Club of Chandigarh (District 3080), in collaboration with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of
Medical Sciences (AIMS) Mohali, has pioneered the establishment of The First Human Milk Bank in the
state of Punjab in January 2024. It now proposes a Community Awareness, Donor Human Milk
Collection, and Research Initiative to strengthen and expand it through collection and distribution of
mother's milk to save newborn lives.
ONE OF THE MANY ROTARY CAUSES : OUR IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
The Rotary Foundation itself reaches mothers and children in need by giving communities the help and
training they need to take control of their own maternal and infant health care
Identified Needs
1. Neonatal Health Challenges:
o Preterm and low birth weight babies are at risk without access to mother's milk or
donor milk.
o Donor human milk saves lives and improves neurodevelopment.
2. Low Awareness and Cultural Myths:
o Many potential donor mothers are unaware or hesitant due to myths.
o Intensive community mobilization is needed to correct misinformation.
A milk bank and infrastructure is already in place to support the implementation of this project. The
procurement of a van that can transport the donated milk to spokes will be a vital asset for this
project. However, the lack of outreach capabilities limits its potential impact. Community Outreach Van/
Vehicle is thus needed for Support to The Human Milk Bank for collection, donation, distribution and
providing basic support to vulnerable babies for a timely access to mother's milk or donor milk. Thus
improving health outcomes for newborns among vulnerable and under served communities and
populations in surrounding areas .
Project Objectives
This Global Grant will help us purchase and provide a Community Outreach Van/ Vehicle to Facilitate
mother's milk collection and distribuiton to neonatal units through the First Human Milk Bank in the
state of Punjab. High level pasteurization and storage facilities already available at the hub i.e The
Human Milk Bank in the B.R. Ambedkar hospital, which ensures a smooth, safe, and streamlined process
during and after the milk donation procurement. Thus Strengthen the impact of the Human Milk Bank
through mobile milk collection, donation and distribution to the Neonatal Units, Orphanages etc.by
ensuring Safe, hygienic storage and transport facilities for collected milk to reach to the needy
newborns.
How the project will meet the needs
Based on The Hub-and-Spokes Model:
Hub: This Human Milk Bank in Punjab will serve as the central facility for processing and
distribution of collected milk.
Spokes: The Community Outreach Van/ vehicle will operate across the neonatal centres in the
tricity (Chandigarh,Mohali and Panchkula) and surrounding rural and semi-urban areas,
collecting milk donations and delivering them to the hub, thus providing healthy and Hygienic
services at the community level to Target Beneficiary Infants requiring access to maternal milk.
This Milk Bank or Hub will act as a supply chain reaching the "rural and hard to reach area clinics
or spokes
Project Timeline
1. Vehicle procurement and customization as a mobile facility and set up of equipment : 3-6
Months post funding.
2. Launch and initial operations :Within within 6 months of Grant approval
1. Implementation Plan
2. Vehicle Procurement and Customization: A van will be equipped with BLS tools, milk storage,
and mobile clinic facilities.
3. Staffing and Training: Healthcare professionals and Volunteers will be trained in BLS, milk
collection
4. Operational Strategy : Regularly scheduled milk collection drives linked to the Human Milk Bank.
5. Community Engagement: Partner with local healthcare providers, milk banks, and community
organizations to create awareness and ensure sustainability.
6. Rotary Branding : The van will be with Customized External Graphics with Hospital and Rotary
Club logo name, address etc
Use of Project Funds
The funds requested through the Global Grant (INR Total 30,00,000 /app. USD 35000 ) will be used for:
1. Vehicle procurement and customization as a mobile facility
2. Equipment:Interior work with Examination/Donor mother Cabin, Autoloader Stretcher Engine ,
850 VA Inverter ,Provision for milk storage and milk collection Storage cabinets with containers
for keeping breast pumps,containers,Medela Breast milk pumps/Health education materials
Provision of Fire Extinguishers, Handheld Torch & refrigerator for storing the donor human milk
etc.,Electrical and HVAC System
Tentative budget
o Cost of Van (INR Total 23,20,000 /approx. USD 27000 )
o Customisation of Van (INR Total 6,80,000 /approx. USD 8000 )
TOTAL (INR Total 30,00,000 /approx. USD 35000 )
Club Member Involvement
This is a joint initiative of the Rotary Club of Chandigarh & Dr. B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical
Sciences (AIMS) Mohali,Punjab in the form of a Community Awareness and Outreach Program to
strengthen and expand the Human Milk Bank. The club established this centre in January 2024 through
joint funding. The Milk collection after 18 months of its establishment
Milk collected till May 2025 is 1,30,925 ml
No of donor mothers is 673
No of babies getting PDHM is 173
The purchase of the Van shall further help in reaching out to surrounding areas both Rural and
Urban.This shall involve volunteering through initiatives, designed and led by Rotary Club Chandigrh
thus reinforcing its commitment to sustainable community development. The van would have a
refrigerated section to store the milk while being transported.
The club and the Milk Bank shall also Partner with local healthcare providers, milk banks, and
community organizations to create awareness and ensure sustainability.The running and maintainance
of the van/vehicle shall be taken care by the beneficiary hospital.Staffing and training shall be taken care
of by the beneficiary hospital, Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences.
Past Grant Success
Heartline
WASH and WINS
Medical Missions
These underline the Club's experience,commitmentand capacity to implement and sustain impactul
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