National Birth Defect Awareness Month 2024

• 04 Mar 2024

On 1st March, 2024, National Birth Defect (NBD) campaign was inaugurated, focusing on prevention, early identification, and management of birth defects.

• Campaign Theme: "Breaking Barriers: inclusive support for children with birth defects."
• Emphasis on prevention, early identification, and timely management.
• Acknowledgment of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana's role in child health.
• Recognition of Rashtriya Bal Swashtya Karyakram's impact on child health.
• Need to address birth defects to lower child mortality, despite lower mortality ratio compared to other diseases.
• Call for increased awareness and coverage for addressing birth defects.
• Importance of paediatricians in supporting child health highlighted.
• Emphasis on folic acid supplementation for neural tube defects prevention.