Haryana has initiated statewide birth defect surveillance in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
Soon all district hospitals will be linked to this surveillance activity. This was revealed at a 2-day State level workshop on birth defect surveillance concluded at Chandigarh on Saturday.
Director National Health Mission Ms. Inoshi Sharma, who inaugurated the first of its kind workshop, said that there are 1.7 million children born in India with Congenital Birth Defect (CBD) and it accounts for six per cent of the total births. She said that as many as 7700 children die every year due to CBD.
While making their presentation, the team of Centre for Disease Control (CDC Atlanta) appraised that to control a wide range of causes of congenital anomalies a portfolio of prevention approach is needed including prevention of sexually transmitted infections, legislation controlling management of toxic chemicals for example certain agricultural chemicals, vaccination against rubella, and fortification of staple foods with folic acid, iodine and other micronutrients.
Deputy Director ,Child Health of Haryana Dr Suresh Dalpath said that in Haryana about one per cent new-borns are admitted or diagnosed with birth defects in the state. He said that Paediatricians and gynaecologists trained in this workshop will act as the potential trainer for subsequent training in their respective district. This will also help in strengthening the program for management and treatment of birth defects.