CMC organises awareness programme to mark world down syndrome

Join CMC Vellore in raising awareness for Down Syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day with healthcare professionals and families.

The Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Department of Clinical Genetics of the Christian Medical College (CMC) has organised an awareness programme titled “Down with dignity: Improving our support systems” at its campus in Vellore to mark World Down Syndrome day that is celebrated on March 21 every year.

According to a press release, Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality seen among liveborns , with a prevalence of 1:800 .Affected individuals have an extra copy of chromosome 21 .Children with Down syndrome have special facial features and health issues including varying degrees of developmental delay. This , in turn, leads to them being stigmatized by society .

The aim of the programme was to create awareness about down syndrome among healthcare professionals and to strengthen existing support systems for these children. The event was presided over by Lilly Verghese, Professor and Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (CMC).

The program witnessed enthusiastic participation by healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses and students. Families of children with down syndrome were invited as special guests. The program included a talk on developmental challenges in babies with Down Syndrome by Beena Koshy, Professor of Development Paediatrics.

On the occasion, Sumita Danda , Professor and Head of Medical Genetics (CMC), Mary Purna Chacko, Professor and Head of Cytogenetics (CMC), Manisha Beck, Professor and Head of Fetal Medicine Unit (CMC), inclusive educators from Chennai suc as K. Kavitha and Veronica were present, the release said.