Dear Esteemed Delhi IAP members and friends,

It is indeed a great honor and privilege to serve and communicate as Secretary of Indian Academy Pediatrics (IAP) Delhi.

Survival, early care including health care, nutrition, growth and development, education and protection are the most basic and crucial child rights. IAP Delhi is in a unique position to champion the cause of child health and welfare as it is close to the seat of political power and major National, International agencies and various NGOs. We need to make every possible effort to interact with them and influence their policies. It is vital that we, the pediatricians of Delhi, should join hands with the people, policy makers and socially minded activists to safeguard the health and welfare of our children. At a minimum, the welfare of children in Delhi must be ensured.

The IAP Delhi group has organized several academic conferences, CMEs and updates, besides the monthly clinical meetings as important group learning activities. Recently, the IAP Delhi organizing committee of PEDICON 2006 had provided generous financial aid to the IAP Child Abuse Neglect Child Labour (CANCL) Group to support the education and health of underserved rural children at village Bhango, Mewat, and Haryana. At present, it is vital that IAP Delhi take a leadership role to address such important issues of child welfare, which require a concerted effort to influence the governmental policies.

The IAP Delhi members have to shoulder the dual responsibility of child care and advocacy. A special committee needs to be constituted and charged with the responsibility of looking after various child welfare activities and advocacy and cooperation with other agencies. The members of the committee would be dedicated persons willing to spend time and act in harmony. Whereas individual efforts are laudable and deserve our gratitude, there impact is local and limited. Government pays attention to strong Groups and is influenced by concerted and forceful lobbying.

The IAP Delhi has established five zonal branches to encourage academic and community welfare activities in their respective areas. However, little attention has been given to problems of children in underprivileged communities. The zonal branches can identify members who would actively work in this area. The zonal executive could approach the Municipal council officials & elected representatives and seek their help. Personal equations and rapport can be established and friendly persuasion used to further mutual assistance.

Moreover, the individual pediatricians can play an important role in assessing the needs of children in their proximate community. There may be a slum cluster, a primary school, community health facility, a children’s remand home, all of which could be helped. A visit from a doctor is always welcomed at such places. The contribution that a pediatrician can make would obviously depend upon the time they are able to devote and the resources that he can muster.

Conferences, conventions, celebrations and slogans have done very little for children. Laws to protect children have been made, only to be ignored and flouted. We need to pursue a more persuasive and aggressive approach to achieve justice for children. Pediatricians are the natural protectors of children. Pediatricians must spearhead the fight. I am sure that with active help and commitment of our Delhi IAP members, we   can gain momentum in becoming the ‘voice of all children’ of our country.

With warm personal regards

Sincerely, .

Dr Rajeev Seth MD, DNBE, DABP, FAAP (USA)
Secretary IAP Delhi
Email: iapdelhi@rediffmail.com & sethrajeev@gmail.com
Website: www.iapdelhi.com