By Dr. Maninder Singh Dhaliwal
Pediatrician, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad
“Save a newborn or a child, and you don’t just save a life; you save an entire lifetime.”
Introduction
They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In healthcare, that step is often a cry; the first cry of a newborn, a sound that holds the promise of a hopeful future. Across my career; through government hospitals, private setups, trust-run centers, and academia, one truth echoes: maternal and newborn health is the foundation of everything that follows. World Health Day 2025’s theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” resonates deeply, with all humanity especially us, pediatricians.
The Power of One: You and Me
You don’t need a title to make a difference. Whether you’re a pediatrician, surgeon, nurse, student, administrator, you can:
- Counsel expectant parents
- Encourage breastfeeding as nature’s first vaccine
- Inform everyone about the importance of early screening and timely intervention
- Empower mothers not just with medicine, but with empathy
And here lies the importance of preventive medicine, which is much more stronger than any curative medicine. Case in point: A first-time mother in any setup is counseled during an antenatal visit about exclusive breastfeeding, maternal nutrition and vaccination. That 15-minute interaction saves her newborn from feeding myths, saves her from malnutrition and vaccination prevents so many diseases. These all complications never happened, because of right preventive counseling. That is the power of preventive medicine, quiet, thankless, and often invisible.
We talk to parents about sleep safety, choking hazards, bike helmets, screen time, and the importance of vaccinations. But here’s the catch: we rarely get to see the actual lives we’ve changed. There’s no news, when a toddler doesn’t tip over a TV. No media when a teen walks away from a bike fall with just a scrape. Because the bad thing never happened.
You’ll never know which baby didn’t die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) because a parent followed your advice on safe sleep; or which child avoided lifelong disability or illness because they got their vaccines on time. That’s the curse—and the beauty—of prevention: it works best when nothing happens. Vaccines? They’re superheroes in plain clothes. They simply stand guard, blocking diseases before they reach the door. They are masters of making nothing happen—and that is everything. So let’s embrace this invisible art. Let’s give time to preventive counseling, not just prescriptions and procedures. There’s silent magic in it. Let’s be proud of being masters of nothing happening.
Training Beyond the Call of Duty
Beyond the OPDs and ICU shifts, there’s another heartbeat; a passion for training others to save lives. Through IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) and PediSTARS, we have had the privilege of leading Pediatric CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation trainings via programs like:
- SNAP (Simulation-based Neonatal and Pediatric Acute Care)
- STEP (Simulation Training for Emergency Pediatrics)
- NeoSim (Neonatal Simulation Training Initiative)
- IAP – BLS/ALS courses (Basic and advanced life support)
These simulation-based workshops provide a safe space to practice high-stakes scenarios repeatedly, encouraging behavior change and improving team coordination under pressure. Case Example: During community CPR training, a citizen never new how to respond to an unconscious child, and now after attending a BLS course, he successfully attended to a child who had a road traffic accident. The child survived because of the training, that’s the power of these courses.
No rupees, no recognition, just the reward of knowing that somewhere, a life was saved because someone remembered their training. “You may forget the trainer, but not the baby saved because of the training.”
Degrees and Directions: When Doctors & Others Turn Managers
More healthcare professionals today are earning MBAs alongside MBBS or MD degrees. Why? Because impact multiplies when clinicians also learn to manage systems and resources. From head of department to hospital director, it’s a journey of spreadsheets and strategy, but the heart still listens. “In management, you trade your stethoscope for spreadsheets—but you still keep listening.” Also, non-medico managers bring fresh perspectives to the table, seeing operational blind spots that clinicians might miss due to caregiving biases. Mixed leadership is not just ideal—it’s essential.
Example: In one PICU, a quality manager flagged the delay in blood gas reporting. It wasn’t the machine, it was the transport time. A simple logistical change reduced turnaround time and improved outcomes. No medicine, just management.
The NGO Route: Where Passion Meets Purpose
Organizations like IMA (Indian Medical Association), IAP, and PediSTARS prove that when passionate people unite, real change happens. Campaigns don’t just tick boxes; they save lives. From iron deficiency awareness drives to autism awareness to vaccination campaigns etc, supported by both government and private sectors, NGOs amplify the voice of public health. “An NGO isn’t just an organization; it’s compassion in action.”
From Lecture Halls to Bedside Action
Medical colleges are not just about degrees; they’re incubators for innovation and empathy. By integrating simulation, encouraging maternal-child health research, and nurturing young minds, we grow not just doctors, but dreamers. “You’re not just learning medicine, you’re learning how to carry a community’s hope.”
Example: A group of interns who attended a simulation workshop later conducted a quality improvement project on factors which cause delay in breastfeeding initiation in their labor room.
Result: A significant improvement over six months. A simple study, but with definite results.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Let’s aim higher. Together.
- Zero preventable maternal and child deaths
- Every mother heard – It’s a collective community effort to take care of 2 lives in one go.
- Every newborn held – Safe delivery and early breast feeding.
- Every child healed – Timely vaccination and right nutrition.
With tech, teamwork, and tenacity, let’s keep training, teaching, collaborating; because we want to do it, for the right cause.
One Final Thought
Babies are the world’s way of saying, “Don’t give up yet.” And every mother is the warrior who makes sure that message gets delivered safely. So wherever you are: hospital, classroom, or CPR training: Pause. Reflect. And Remember: “A hopeful future isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we build: heartbeat by heartbeat.” Let’s together as a community, make every mother and every baby count.
About ISBR Business School: ISBR Business School, located in Bangalore, India, is a premier institution dedicated to providing world-class education in business and management. Accredited by the NBA and recognized by the Association of Indian Universities and the Ministry of HRD, Government of India, ISBR has consistently been ranked as a platinum institute by AICTE-CII. With a diverse student body, a strong emphasis on industry collaboration, and a curriculum designed to foster innovation and leadership, ISBR Business School is committed to shaping the business leaders of tomorrow. The school’s robust placement record and partnerships with top global companies underscore its commitment to excellence and career readiness for its students