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Swami Rama Himalayan University Observes World Breastfeeding Week 2025

Published on: August 7, 2025

Swami Rama Himalayan University Observes World Breastfeeding Week 2025

The Departments of Community Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Neonatology of HIMS, SRHU, in collaboration with IAPSM and various community partners, marked World Breastfeeding Week 2025 with a vibrant blend of clinical excellence, community outreach, and academic discourse. The week-long activities reinforced SRHU’s commitment to maternal and child health, while promoting the creation of sustainable support systems for breastfeeding.

The celebrations began on 1st August with the inauguration of a dedicated Lactation Room at Himalayan Hospital by Lt. Gen. Daljit Singh, Principal HIMS, along with senior university leaders. This safe, hygienic, and private facility aligns with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative principles, offering mothers a comfortable space to breastfeed or express milk. The day also featured a Nukkad Natak on safe breastfeeding practices, keynote addresses, three thematic academic sessions, and the launch of the “Adopt a Mom” campaign alongside a donation drive to support underprivileged mothers.

On 2nd August, grassroots engagement took centre stage with a training workshop for ASHAs, ANMs, and Anganwadi Workers on early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, positioning, and managing lactation challenges. MBBS students presented a community street play and participated in a health camp offering antenatal counselling. Meanwhile, SRHU’s academic block hosted an inter-batch MBBS quiz competition, testing knowledge on breastfeeding physiology, policies, and clinical practices.

The third day featured the “Run for Nutrition – Run to Support Breastfeeding,” a symbolic 5K run with over 50 participants promoting the connection between healthy lifestyles and breastfeeding. A unique “Supportive Tree” activity invited participants to share personal pledges for breastfeeding support, creating a powerful visual of community solidarity.

On 4th August, the hospital saw street plays in ANC/PNC wards and the distribution of educational materials to more than 200 attendees. The afternoon brought a National Online CME in collaboration with IAPSM, which attracted over 170 participants nationwide and featured expert discussions on sustainable breastfeeding support systems and breast health.

Continuing the outreach, faculty and residents visited the Urban Health Training Centre at Kurkawala on 5th August, delivering awareness talks and street plays for underserved communities and distributing IEC kits. The preliminary nursing quiz rounds were also held, shortlisting participants for the finals.

The focus shifted to rural engagement on 6th August at CHC Doiwala, where sessions highlighted early initiation, pre-lacteal feed avoidance, and the risks of bottle-feeding. Back on campus, the nursing quiz finals provided multiple interactive rounds to reinforce knowledge in an enjoyable, competitive format.

The week concluded on 7th August with hospital-based awareness activities and street plays focusing on working mothers’ rights, complemented by “Myth vs Fact” displays. A poster competition featuring over 20 creative and scientifically sound entries from MBBS, Nursing, and Paramedical students added a vibrant close to the celebrations.

Across the week, SRHU reached hundreds of community members, patients, students, and healthcare professionals, effectively bridging the gap between hospital-based services and grassroots advocacy. The celebration underscored the university’s leadership in promoting maternal and child health, while championing supportive environments for breastfeeding through infrastructure development, education, policy advocacy, and creative community engagement.

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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.