By Dr.Adarsh Somashekar, Chairman and CEO, Ovum Woman and Child Specialty Hospital, Bangalore
World Health Day, celebrated annually on April 7th, unites communities globally to address critical health challenges. This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set an inspiring theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard the health of mothers and newborns. Every child deserves a healthy start, and every mother deserves care and support. By preventing avoidable maternal and infant deaths, we set the stage for healthier, brighter futures for generations to come.
Maternal and Newborn Health: A Global Priority
Despite remarkable progress in healthcare, maternal and neonatal mortality remain significant global concerns. According to WHO, nearly 810 women die each day from preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Similarly, approximately 6,700 newborns die daily, accounting for almost half of all deaths among children under five years of age. The majority of these tragedies occur in low-resource settings, where access to quality healthcare is limited.
In India, despite significant healthcare advancements, maternal and infant mortality rates still demand focused attention. Enhanced awareness, improved healthcare infrastructure, and proactive community involvement can significantly reduce these preventable deaths, paving the way for healthier, more hopeful futures.
The Power of Prenatal Care
The journey toward healthy beginnings starts long before birth. Prenatal care is pivotal in ensuring both maternal and child health. Regular antenatal visits provide expectant mothers with critical health services such as nutritional guidance, screenings for medical conditions, vaccinations, and health education.
Early and consistent prenatal care drastically reduces the risk of pregnancy-related complications such as anemia, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. It also significantly lowers the incidence of preterm births, low birth weight, and neonatal complications, thereby improving outcomes for both mother and child.
The Critical Role of Nutrition
Nutrition during pregnancy profoundly impacts the lifelong health of children. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients like iron, calcium, folic acid, vitamins, and proteins is vital for fetal development. Iron and folic acid supplementation, for instance, prevent neural tube defects, maternal anemia, and associated risks.
Breastfeeding, universally recognized as the cornerstone of infant nutrition, supports healthy development and strengthens immunity. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding along with complementary foods up to two years or beyond. Breastfeeding significantly lowers the risk of infections, childhood obesity, diabetes, and enhances cognitive development.
Early Interventions: A Life-Saving Approach
Timely interventions can dramatically reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. Accessible emergency obstetric and neonatal care facilities are essential, particularly for handling complications such as hemorrhage, infections, preterm births, and respiratory distress in newborns.
Institutional deliveries under skilled medical supervision ensure immediate identification and management of risks. Simple, evidence-based interventions like administering antenatal steroids to women at risk of preterm birth, practicing kangaroo mother care for low birth weight infants, and providing timely immunizations can save countless lives.
Empowering Mothers and Families
Educating and empowering women and families form the foundation of sustainable health improvements. Mothers informed about pregnancy health, birth preparedness, danger signs, and infant care practices are better equipped to seek timely medical care and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Community-based health initiatives, awareness campaigns, and educational programs bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Strengthening community healthcare workers’ roles ensures critical information and healthcare services reach the most vulnerable populations effectively.
Innovations in Maternal and Child Health
Innovation and technology are revolutionizing maternal and child healthcare, making quality medical care accessible even in remote regions. Mobile health applications offer prenatal guidance, reminders for vaccinations, and tips for healthy pregnancy and child care. Telemedicine extends expert consultation and timely medical interventions, overcoming geographical barriers.
At Ovum Woman and Child Specialty Hospital, Bangalore, we leverage advanced healthcare technologies and evidence-based protocols to deliver exceptional maternal and neonatal care. Our commitment to quality ensures that every mother and child receives compassionate, personalized, and expert care, significantly reducing preventable maternal and infant deaths.
The Way Forward: Collective Action
Improving maternal and neonatal health demands collaborative efforts involving policymakers, healthcare providers, communities, and families. Investment in maternal and child healthcare infrastructure, comprehensive training for healthcare workers, and widespread public health education must remain top priorities.
Governments must prioritize maternal and child healthcare funding, emphasizing universal healthcare access, infrastructure enhancement, and emergency preparedness. Communities must foster supportive environments where maternal health and newborn care are recognized as shared responsibilities, encouraging collective awareness and action.
A Call to Action
World Health Day 2025 is a timely reminder that the health of mothers and newborns is fundamental to the well-being of society. Every life saved today paves the way for stronger, healthier, and more prosperous communities tomorrow.
Together, by committing to healthy beginnings, we secure hopeful futures. Every child’s life matters. Every mother’s health matters. Let’s embrace this collective responsibility and work relentlessly to ensure every birth is a promise fulfilled, and every child embarks on life’s journey with strength and resilience.
On this World Health Day, let us renew our pledge to support maternal and newborn health, fostering hopeful futures filled with health, joy, and prosperity for every family.
