‘Mahervashin’ Initiative Advances Maternity Care at Symbiosis

The official ‘Mahervashin’ information booklet for expectant mothers was released by Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Smt. Sunetra Ajit Pawar, along with MLA Shri Shankar Mandekar, in the presence of Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Chancellor, Symbiosis International University (SIU); Dr. R. Raman, Vice Chancellor, SIU; Dr. Rajiv Yeravdekar, Provost, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SIU, and other dignitaries. The programme was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar, Founder & President, Symbiosis.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Sunetra Pawar emphasised that safe motherhood is not merely a healthcare concern but a social responsibility. She appreciated Symbiosis for creating a model that brings together medical excellence with compassion, dignity and a sense of belonging.

“A healthy mother means a healthy family, and a healthy family means a capable Maharashtra,” she said, stressing that the health and well-being of women and children are fundamental to the progress of families, society and the state.

Smt. Pawar also highlighted the importance of making maternal healthcare more accessible, particularly in rural areas, and appreciated the role of grassroots healthcare workers in taking such initiatives closer to women and families. She said that Maharashtra has historically been a leader in social transformation, from women’s education to healthcare and dignity, and expressed confidence that initiatives such as Mahervashin can provide a new dimension to development.

The Mahervashin Initiative, conceptualised by Dr. Rajiv Yeravdekar, reimagines the hospital as a ‘maternal home’ where every expectant mother is treated not simply as a patient but as a Mahervashin—a daughter returning to her maternal home. The initiative is built around four core pillars:

Maher Experience: Emotional support, compassionate nursing care and the option of a birth companion.

Maher Nutrition: Nutritious, dietitian-planned meals integrating clinical and traditional maternal nutritional needs.

Maher Culture: Respect for cultural practices, including facilitating traditions such as Dohale Jevan in a safe hospital environment.

Maher Child & Postpartum Care: Lactation counselling, newborn care, postpartum recovery support, depression screening and a special Maher Kit at discharge.

The initiative complements government programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). Under the programme, grassroots ASHA workers will be trained as ‘Maher-Doots’, helping extend awareness and compassionate maternity support into communities. Its integration with the NMC Family Adoption Programme will also help nurture empathy and patient-centred care among future doctors.

The event also recognised healthcare professionals and beneficiary mothers for their contribution and association with maternal healthcare.

With ‘Mahervashin’, Symbiosis seeks to demonstrate that maternity care can go beyond clinical treatment—creating an environment where every mother feels safe, respected, cared for and truly at home.

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