Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 14 November 2025
A one-day training programme on comprehensive newborn birth defects under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) was recently organized for Medical Officers and Nursing Officers at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Health Services.
Inaugurating the programme as chief guest, Dr. Suja Antony, Director of Health Services, emphasized the importance of early screening of newborns to detect birth defects. She highlighted that timely identification can prevent severe complications, reduce long-term disabilities, and improve both survival rates and quality of life.
The event was graced by Dr. Pragathesh, HOD of Paediatrics, ANIIMS, and Dr. Ritu Singh, Professor of Paediatrics, ANIIMS, as guests of honour. The training focused on identifying a wide range of conditions, including physical malformations like cleft lip or palate, chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, functional defects including congenital deafness and cataract, metabolic disorders such as inborn errors of metabolism and haemoglobinopathies, neurodevelopmental disorders, and complications arising from prematurity.
A total of 23 participants from various health institutions attended the training, gaining hands-on knowledge and skills to enhance newborn screening and care in their respective facilities.
