Belagavi: India has the largest adolescent population of 253 million in the world, and every fifth person is between the age of 10 to 19 years. India stands to gain socially, politically and economically if this large number of adolescents competencies are directed & guided properly opined Dr. Roopa Bellad, President of IAP of Karnataka.The transition from child to adolescent to adult is a crucial phase and empowering each one of them is the best & ideal initiative added, Dr Roopa Bellad. She was speaking on the occasion of the launching of The Adolescent Health Academy of Indian academy of Pediatrics at UK 27 Hotel, Belagavi. The theme of this year’s celebration is TRANSITIONS i.e. passage from child to adolescents to adults. Transitions also include the transfer of care of an adolescent to a physician who looks after adults, and the transition from online to offline learning, etc. The programs will focus on the issues related to the process of transitions.
Dr Manisha Bhandankar, Secretary IAP Karnataka informed the audience about various activities planned throughout the state during this week and congratulated Miss Tanishqa for shouldering the responsibility of the youth ambassador for the country. Dr. Mainsha highlighted that celebrations are aimed to inspire adolescents and the people who influence the future of adolescents (doctors, parents, teachers, and policymakers) to advocate for a successful transition to adulthood. Lime green is the official color of IAHW as it represents the high energy and passion of adolescents, health, happiness, freshness, vitality and closeness to nature.
More than 250 city branches of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and 50 branches of Adolescent Health Academy and their partners will organise; seminars/webinars, interactive discussions, and competitive events like debates, poster making, painting, slogan writing, and essay writing, etc across the country from 20th to 26th March 2022.
Dr Preeti Galagali , Co lead for International Adolescent health week and Convenor IAP Karnataka, Miss Tanishq Sanjay IAHW youth ambassador, India was a special invitee for this function. Dr Kasturi Donnimath, President , FOGSI Karnataka was the Chief guest and Dr N S Mahantshetti, Principal JNMC was guest of Honour.
The President of IAP Belagavi District Dr Salagare stated “all the stakeholders need to join hands to support this journey to adulthood smooth and without the barriers. IAP Belagavi will have a series of programs in this week and throughout the year”.
Office bearers of Karnataka and Belagavi branches of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society , Office bearers of Belagavi IAP Dr Bhavana Koppad and Dr Sonali Bijjargi , senior Paediatricians and Gynaecologists from Belagavi were present for the function.
New Delhi: Dr Ramesh Kumar, President Indian Academy of Pediatrics inaugurated the program at New Delhi and assured: “our 32,000 members are committed to looking after the adolescents of India and we shall help them mature to a responsible citizen contributing to the nation-building”.
The Chairman of Adolescent Health Academy, India Dr Harish K Pemde told “India has the largest number of adolescents in the world and they have very unique health issues. They need Respectful Adolescent Health Services and we shall work on improving the quality of health care to adolescents”.
The Vice President of IAP Dr Haridner Singh appealed the members of IAP “we all should participate in the celebrations and make our clinics adolescent-friendly”. The Honorary Secretary General of IAP Dr Vineet Saxena told “this year the IAP will release standard treatment guidelines on the common clinical conditions and that will help health care providers in extending friendly services to adolescents”.
