Deptt of Pediatrics organize World Birth Defects Day

Aligarh:The Department of Pediatrics, JN Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University organized a program as part of the celebrations of the World Birth Defects Day to raise awareness about birth defects, reduce stigma, and increase opportunities for prevention of the same.Professor Jamal Ahmad, Dean, Faculty of Medicine and the Chief Guest of the program said that the women, during pregnancy, need to be made aware regarding the consumption of different drugs, especially those of high blood pressure, Diabetes as well as the intake of folic acid, and the Department of Gynaecology could play an important role in this. He said that the problem of birth defects is a major one which could be controlled by spreading awareness among women.
Dr Tariq Mansoor, Principal and CMS, JN Medical College said that the look after of Newborn and old aged has always been a challenging task and the birth defects among the newborn babies could be prevented by the cooperation and coordination  of different sections of the society. He told that the Department of Pediatrics is playing an indispensible role in the treatment of newborns as well as infants.
Professor S Manazir Ali, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics and EB member from UP informed that around 6 lakh children may be born each year in India with congenital anomalies which contribute to 28% of global neonatal mortality. He pressed for psychosocial counselling and support services as birth defects cause enormous distress to parents.President, IAP Aligarh chapter, Dr Sunil Gupta provided proper information about the intake of vitamin and multi vitamin, during pregnancy.  He said that smoking, excess of fluoride in water as well as infections are also responsible for birth defects.Additional CMO Dr RK Goyal informed about the health policies run by the State Govt.
Dr Uzma Firdaus, Department of Pediatrics conducted the program.