10 million babies worldwide are born each year with a serious birth defect.

In India birth defects are a major public health problem because they account for 10% of childhood mortality rate.

Some major birth defects are preventable; and many are completely treatable.

Thus awareness regarding prevention and proper care of birth defects is crucial.

3rd March is marked as a World Birth Defect Day worldwide.

To mark this day, Spina Bifida Foundation members had organized a Mega event at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai on 4th March, 2018

Details of World Birth Defects Day Awareness Program:
The Objective of the Programme was to spread awareness about prevention of Birth Defect and also felicitation of Birth Defect patients whose families shared their experience.

1. The event began with Address from MOGS president – Dr Vanita Raut, IAP Mumbai President – Dr Bela Verma, IAPS President – Dr Ketan Parikh, Spina Bifida Founder Dr.Santosh Karmarkar.

2. Mr. Rohit Shelatkar addressed the meet by speaking on the below topics:

Increased number of cases in India suffering from Birth Defects

Joint efforts of Go Folic and Spina Bifida to support a noble cause

Saptapadi campaign for spreading awareness and prevention of Birth Defects

Role of Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 for preventing Spina Bifida Birth Defect

Pregnacare and its role in preventing Spina Bifida Birth Defect.

3. Video Message from Members of International Federation of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus: Discussed about the International conference scheduled in New Delhi, on August 10th – 12th.

4. Felicitated Birth Defect patients and their families, who shared their experience and journey in fighting the disease.

The event ended with a puppet show, which was based on life of a Spina Bifida child who has to undergo constant humiliation due to the birth defect.