• Attendees: Postgraduates, Undergraduates, Nursing Students, Working mothers, General public
• Faculties: 25

• Secretary:   Dr. Arun Kumaar
• Coordinator:  Dr. T. Bharath Kumar
• Topics Covered: ‘Closing the Gap-Breastfeeding Support for All’

As a part of World Breastfeeding Week 2024 celebrations, the Department of Pediatrics, SMVMCH, Pondicherry conducted the Breastfeeding week from 01-08-2024 to 08-08-2024.

Day 1: 01-08-2024

Event 1: Inauguration Exhibition

As a part of WBW celebrations, on the 1^st of August, the World Breastfeeding Week 2024 inauguration was done by the Chief Guests – Dr. Prakash, the Medical Superintendent of SMVMCH, Dr. Kagne, Dean of SMVMCH, Dr. Karthikeyan, the Academic Dean of SMVMCH along with the faculties from various departments.

Exhibits with pictures depicting the benefits of breastfeeding to mother and baby, various positions of breastfeeding, and health talk was given to educate mother and their family members about the benefits of breastfeeding.

On the same day, posters were exhibited and explained to mothers of reproductive age, lactating mothers attending the OPD of Pediatrics and OBG (Nearly 250 women and their family members have been educated).

Pamphlets containing the benefits of breast milk were also distributed to the women folks.

Event 2: Poster Presentation

We also conducted a poster presentation competition among the Postgraduates of different departments, and undergraduates, in which 110 participants participated actively, under the guidance of Dr. Hemanth Kumar, Dr. Giridharan, and Dr. Ezhil Nilavan.

Topic of the presentation being this year’s theme, ‘CLOSING THE GAP-BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT FOR ALL’ Winners were chosen and participants were appreciated.

DAY 2: 02-08-2024

Event: Community Health Talk- Thiruvennainallur

On 2^nd of August as a part of the celebrations of WBW 2024, Community Health talk was conducted in Thiruvennainallur Centre headed by Dr. Arulkumaran, with postgraduates and the medical officers of the local RHC.

Health talk highlighting the hurdles faced by working mothers in establishing exclusive breast feeding, Methods of breast milk expression, storage and availing Paid Maternity Leave, was delivered to over 65 antenatal and postnatal mothers with active participation in the form of doubt solving.

Following which, questionnaires were distributed, and a written quiz was conducted among the patients for which winners were allotted prizes.

As the theme of the WBW 2024 is ‘Closing the gap- Breastfeeding for all’ health talk was delivered to the working mothers, adolescent women and general community.

Day 3: 03-08-2024

Event 1: Postgraduate Competition- Postnatal Counselling

On the 3^rd of August as a part of 3^rd day of celebrations, under the supervision of Dr. Preethi.T, a competition of counselling the mothers in the postnatal ward was conducted to ensure not just the theoretical importance but the practical aspects and doubt solving regarding breast feeding.

It was aimed at stressing the importance of counselling and spreading awareness among the mothers and caretakers on the budding paediatricians. Postgraduates were applauded by the mothers and therefore had helped the students in developing and improving their communication skills.

Scores were given to the counseling based on the KALAMAZOO CHECKLIST FOR COMMUNICATION, which was modified for breastfeeding and used for assessment.

Event 2: Undergraduate Quiz Competition

On the same day, undergraduates participated in the quiz competition held over the topic of breast feeding headed by Dr. Preethi.T, 150 students participated in teams of two, with enthusiasm. Discussion regarding the current theme with the audience and quiz participants was done in detail.

Day 4: 04-08-2024

Health Talk – Antenatal Mothers (SMVMCH)

On the 4th of August, health talk was conducted to the antenatal and postnatal mothers, in SMVMCH, where doubt solving was done and breast feeding awareness in the form of stressing the importance of breast milk, explaining about the myths about breastfeeding practices, advantages of exclusive breastfeeding, ‘responsive feeding’ with cues of hunger, breastfeeding among working mothers were explained.

As the theme was to close the gaps, an initiative was taken to include the adolescent females, newly married women, the caregivers and the general community available (patient attenders)

Day 5: 05-08-2024

Event 1: Antenatal Mother Quiz

Antenatal mother quiz was conducted to enlighten mothers on breast feeding to avoid bad child practices. Mothers admitted in antenatal and postnatal wards were given questionnaire with respect to the current theme and answers were discussed after the session. Selected winners were given prize after the discussion.

Day 6: 06-08-2024

Poster Competition for Nursing Students

On the 6^th of August, poster competition was conducted to the nursing students based on the theme of the world breastfeeding week 2024, About 50 students participated with utmost enthusiasm. Pictures and paintings depicting the colostrum, breastfeeding and the importance of community in breastfeeding has been emphasized.

Day 7: 07-08-2024

Health Talk – Working Mothers

Awareness Health talk was conducted at Chennai Silks Villupuram, headed by Dr. Arul Kumaran, under the supervision of Dr. Ezhil Nilavan and postgraduates.

Health talk highlighting the hurdles faced by working mothers in establishing exclusive breast feeding, Methods of breast milk expression, storage and availing Paid Maternity Leave, was delivered to over 100 antenatal and postnatal WORKING mothers with active participation in the form of doubt solving.

Many mothers showed their interest in discussing solutions to promote exclusive breastfeeding in working mothers. At the end of the health talk, questionnaires were distributed and prizes given among the audience.

Day 8: 08-08-2024

Event: Valedictory Event

On the 8th of August, on the occasion of the end of world breastfeeding week, Valedictory event was conducted with the heads of the department of various departments, director of SMVMCH, and Dr. Thilagavathi ma’am Head of the Department, Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Villupuram. After inauguration by the chief guest, felicitation of the chief guest was done by the Director of SMVMCH

Following which prize distribution was done to all the winners who’ve won in the various competitions held over the entire week. All the participants and winners were appreciated and applauded.

Guest lecture by Dr.Thilagavathi was conducted which was attended by 200 students, postgraduates and faculties. An interactive session where audience were educated and enlightened on many aspects of breast feeding took place along with a stress on the ways to close gaps in the adolescent, antenatal, postnatal and community level.

Vote of thanks was delivered to everyone who have participated with great enthusiasm in making the event a grand success.

• Attendees: Undergraduates, Nursing Students, Interns, General public
• Faculties: 50

• Secretary:   Dr. A. Arulkumaran
• Coordinator:  Dr. T. Bharath Kumar
• Topics Covered: The symptoms of dehydration, ORS uses, role of Zinc in acute diarrhoea, diet to be given during diarrhoeal illness etc.

The Department of Paediatrics at SMVMCH along with IAP Puducherry chapter jointly celebrated ORS week / World ORS day in a grand manner.

Event 1:

Inauguration of exhibition on acute diarrhoeal disease and ORS:

A mini exhibition was inaugurated in the hospital podium of SMVMCH with posters in local languages (Tamil) on the symptoms of dehydration, ORS uses, role of Zinc in acute diarrhoea, diet to be given during diarrhoeal illness etc the exhibition was inaugurated by the Dean of SMVMCH Dr. R. N. Kagne. Pamphlet printed in local language (Tamil) was released to the public by Dean Academic Dr.Karthikeyan. The programme was also attended by the Medical Superintendent Dr.Pragash, faculties and Postgraduates of Department of Paediatrics and other departments. Around 75 to 80 women folk, men grandmothers attended the event

Event 2:

Health Awareness talk was organised in the Hospital Podium to the public on ORS

A Health talk was given by Dr.A.Arulkumaran, Professor of Paediatrics along with Postgraduates of the department. A demo was given to public by the Nursing Staffs of the Department on the preparation of ORS and the about be given depending on the age group. This was followed by an MCQ competition on acute diarrhoea and ORS was conducted with Yes/No answers. Around 60 people participated in the event. The winners of the competition was awarded prizes.

Event 3:

Quiz competition for Undergraduates students.

An online quiz programme was organised to undergraduate MBBS students their QUIZZ APP. The programme was conducted by Dr.Preethi.T, Associate Professor of Paediatrics. Answers for the quiz was discussed at the end of session. Around 135 students participated. The winners were awarded prizes and certificates.

Event 4:

Guest Lecture on Acute diarrhoeal illness and ORS to Nursing Students:

A Guest lecture was given to Nursing Students of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Nursing College on Acute diarrhoeal illness by Dr.Giridharan, Assistant Professor of Paediatrics. Around 150 students, 20 faculties of Nursing College participated in the event. A quiz programme was also conducted to nursing students at the end of session.

Event 5:

Health Awareness talk on ORS at Thiruvennainallur PHC:

A health awareness talk was given at Thiruvennainallur PHC by Dr.Ezhil Nilavan, Senior Resident of our department on ORS and its importance on the management of diarrhoeal illness. Around 50 women, children, men participated in the event.

Event 6:

Quiz competition for Interns:

A written quiz competition for Interns was conducted by Dr.Hemanth Kumar, Assistant Professor of Paediatrics on a ORS and acute diarrhoea. Around 75 interns participated, prizes and certificates were distributed.

Event 7:

School health Talk:

ORS Health awareness talk was given in Government High School at Thirubhuvanai, Puducherry on 30.07.2024. The talk was given by Dr.A.Arulkumaran, Professor of Paediatrics along with postgraduates and interns of SMVMCH. The importance of ORS during diarrhoea was depicted with posters and pamphlets printed in local language was distributed to the students

ORS demo was done to the school students and was ORS packets was distributed. Question and Answer session was conducted at the end of the programme and prizes were distributed. Around 180 from std VI to X students and 10 teachers participated in the event.

• Attendees: Faculties, Postgraduates, Undergraduates and Interns
• Faculties: 50

• Secretary: Dr. T. Bharath Kumar
• Topics Covered: Recent numbers of reported cases of AFP and further plans in improvement of AFP surveillance and VPD.

The Department of Paediatrics conducted a workshop on Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) on 04.06.2024. The workshop was conducted under the guidance of Head of Department paediatrics and other faculties at SMVMCH Basement Auditorium. The workshop was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Saira Banu, Surveillance Medical Officer, WHO NPSP, Puducherry and Dr. Rajambal, DD (Immunisation), Puducherry. The event was initiated with prayer, followed by felicitation of the guest speakers.

An interactive and very informative session was taken by Dr.Saira Banu regarding the importance of surveillance, recent numbers of reported cases of AFP and further plans in improvement of AFP surveillance and VPD. This session was attended by Faculty, Postgraduates and Interns from many departments and nearly 150 UG students took part in the session.

This was followed by another engaging session by Dr.Rajambal who enlightened the audience about the various level involved in surveillance and the discussion on the need for improving the surveillance rate of AFP and VPD. The audience gained profound knowledge with this session.

The workshop then concluded with vote of thanks followed by lunch for all the attendees.

The Department of Paediatrics SMVMCH along with Indian Academy of Paediatrics jointly organised Basic NRP provider course (IAP-NRP-FGM) at Simulation Centre SMVMCH on 15.03.2024.

The participants of the workshop include postgraduates from the Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Staff Nurses working in NICU, Labour room and postnatal ward. A total of 19 delegates enrolled for the workshop.

The workshop include on online course which all participants have to complete get the online certificate then an offline course which include hands on physical training programme conducted for 6 hours in the Simulation centre of SMVMCH. The IAP course ID is 12454.

The skill stations were divided into 3 sessions with approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours in each station. The first session was on preparation at birth and routine care. The second session was on initial step of resuscitation, brief ventilation and observational care. The third session was on prolonged ventilation with normal or slow heart rate. In all the stations there was hands on training with the manikins. Resource persons moved from one station to the other so that all participants are exposed to teaching of all faculties. There was followed by the lunch.  In the afternoon session performance evaluation test was conducted for all the participants where all are asked to perform the steps of neonatal resuscitation in the manikins with different case scenarios as instructed by the resource persons. This was followed by feedback form given to all the participants and completion certificates were distributed to all the delegates.

Event Name: WEBINAR ON FUTURE AS A NEONATOLOGIST
Date: 30.01.2024
Time: 02.00 to 5.00 pm
Venue: Clinical department

The Department of Paediatrics, SMVMCH conducted a webinar on “FUTURE AS A NEONATOLOGIST ” on 30.01.2024 headed by Dr. BALAJI MD PAEDIATRICS, FELLOWSHIP IN NEONATOLOGY.
The meeting was an informative session regarding the future as an neonatologist and job opportunities presented by our alumni member.

The Department of Paediatrics conducted Basic Neonatal resuscitation workshop for Nursing students of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Nursing College on 4th, 5th and 8th January 2024.

A total of 72 students participated in the event. The event was conducted in the Simulation center of SMVMCH.