IAP launches campaign addressing critical issues in child health

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) launched `IAP Ki Baat, Community Ke Saath’ campaign, here today, aimed at addressing critical issues in child health.
The initiative seeks to engage communities and disseminate crucial information on child health. By focusing on topics including obesity, measles, autism, Down syndrome and Thalassemia, IAP aims to ensure accessible and relevant information for all, thereby contributing to enhanced societal well-being.
The campaign programme at Jammu focused on BLS – CPR essential life saving skills. A lifesaving skill Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a critical emergency procedure used when a child’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This lifesaving technique involves a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths, aimed at manually maintaining blood and oxygen flow to vital organs until advanced medical help arrives or normal heart function is restored.
Dr GV Basavaraja, National IAP President 2024, emphasized that the `IAP Ki Baat, Community Ke Saath’ campaign is a vital step towards ensuring the well-being of children nationwide. “By providing accurate and credible information on BLS – CPR Essential life saving skills, we aim to empower parents and caregivers to make informed decisions about their children’s s health.
Dr Vasant Khalatkar, National President 2025, said that through collaborative efforts and widespread dissemination, they aim to address misconceptions and promote best practices in BLS – CPR Essential life saving skills, ultimately contributing to the overall health and well-being of the children.
The campaign team of experts comprised Dr Santanu Deb (Convenor), Dr Paramanad G Andankar (Co-convenor), Dr Prashant V Kariya, Dr Cherukuri Nirmala, Dr Janani Shankar, Dr Shalu Gupta, and Dr Prahalad Kumar along with the scientific committee comprising Dr Piyali Bhattacharya, Dr Gayatri Bezboruah, Dr Prashant V Kariya, Dr Mubashir Hassan Shah, Dr Cherukuri Nirmala and Dr Manmeet Kaur Sodhi.
Key IAP officials, including Dr GV Basavaraja, Dr Vasant Khalatkar, Dr Yogesh Parikh (Secretary General), Dr Atanu Bhadra (National Treasurer) and National Coordinators – Dr Geeta Patil, Dr Samir Dalwai, Dr Kishore Baindur, Dr Shantaraj, and Dr Amaresh Patil, unveiled awareness posters and videos as part of this campaign.
Dr Sanjeev K Digra, Executive Board member (J&K)-2024 along with EB members of other States also attended the launch of this very vital program.