The Breathe Life Foundation (BLF) is a dedicated not-for-profit Section 8 organisation committed to transforming respiratory health outcomes across India. Founded in Nagpur by Dr. Sameer Arbat, the foundation operates at the unique intersection of clinical excellence and public health to strengthen the delivery of lung care through four core pillars: Education, Awareness, Research, and Capacity Building.
Our Mission
Our mission is to bring national and global expertise onto a single platform to share knowledge, inspire medical innovation, and empower both healthcare professionals and the public to prioritise lung wellness.
What We Do
1. Professional Medical Education
We bridge the gap between global advancements and local clinical practice through rigorous academic initiatives:
- Breathe Congress: Our flagship annual academic conference that brings together hundreds of delegates from across India to discuss the future of pulmonary medicine.
- Specialised Interventional Pulmonology Training: Hands-on workshops focusing on high-precision techniques including bronchoscopy, EBUS, cryobiopsy, pleural procedures, and advanced airway interventions.
- Breathe International Webinar Series: A digital platform connecting Indian clinicians with world-renowned faculty for real-time discussions on cutting-edge respiratory research.
- IP Unplugged Podcast: A first-of-its-kind podcast featuring insightful conversations with global leaders in interventional pulmonology, medical innovation, and clinical leadership.
2. Supporting the Next Generation
We believe that financial constraints should never hinder medical excellence:
- Scholarships and Sponsored Access: Providing subsidised and complimentary registrations to support young doctors and residents in attending premier academic programmes.
3. Public Awareness and Community Impact
Transforming public health through proactive education and large-scale advocacy:
- Lung Wellness Campaigns: Extensive public outreach through videos, newspaper features, and social media focusing on asthma, COPD, smoking cessation, and the health impacts of air pollution.
- "Giant Lungs" Initiative: A landmark public awareness project in Nagpur that educated over 1,000 students on environmental health and respiratory protection.
- School Asthma Programmes: Dedicated education and screening initiatives to help children and educators manage respiratory health in school environments.
4. Research and Innovation
Driving the future of pulmonology through data, observation, and clinical insight, the foundation focuses on addressing region-specific respiratory challenges while contributing to global scientific dialogue.
Key research projects have explored areas of significant public health importance, including indoor air pollution in urban slums of Nagpur, analysis of non-smoker COPD in Central India, and the allergy profile of populations in Central India. These studies reflect an effort to understand local disease patterns and translate findings into meaningful clinical practice.
The work has been presented at leading international respiratory platforms, including the CHEST Congress 2019 in Bangkok, the APSR Congress Singapore 2023, and the American Thoracic Society International Conference held in San Francisco in 2025. These global forums bring together clinicians and researchers to share advances in respiratory medicine and shape future standards of care.
Research contributions have also been featured in multiple news articles and medical magazines, helping extend their impact beyond academic settings and into public awareness.
Our Vision for the Future
To become India's most trusted and influential platform for respiratory education and public health, ensuring that every individual has the knowledge and care they need to breathe freely and live fully.
Get Involved
Whether you are a healthcare professional looking to advance your skills or a community member passionate about lung health, there is a place for you at BLF.