Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In a country where nearly 40% of the population comprises children, the issue of infant mortality remains a pressing concern said Dr Narendra Are, director of medical education, Hyderabad, Telangana and Dr Vikesh Agrawal from Jabalpur while talking with Free Press on Saturday at SPTSCOM 2025 conference held at IRCAD Centre.
They emphasised that in paediatric thoracic surgery approximately 10% of child deaths are caused due to surgically treatable birth defects.
“If a paediatric surgeon was appointed at each of India’s 780 medical colleges, it could directly result in a 10% reduction in infant mortality. Unfortunately, only 180 medical colleges currently have paediatric surgery departments, leaving a significant portion of the country without this critical healthcare service, said Dr Agrawal.
Paediatric surgeons explained that thoracic conditions in children can range from congenital anomalies like diaphragmatic hernia and lung malformations to infective conditions such as empyema.
“These cases are categorised based on urgency emergency, semi-emergency, or elective and if not treated promptly, many can become life-threatening,” said Dr Are.
“One of the biggest challenges paediatric surgeons face is that they work with non-verbal and non-cooperative patients infants who cannot describe their symptoms.Additionally, convincing anxious parents to proceed with timely surgery often results in critical delays”, said Dr Are.
Perhaps the most poignant reflection came in the form of a philosophical truth shared by a senior surgeon stating that “Sometimes, we are creating what God has not. Fixing birth defects is not just medical it’s a divine duty. We are saving lives that will go on to live for 80 or 90 years. That is our greatest reward,” Dr Agrawal concluded.
Dr Narendra Are |
“Today, modern technologies like 3D and 5D ultrasound, keyhole surgeries using 3mm incisions, and advanced anaesthesia systems have made paediatric surgeries far safer and less invasive than ever before.”
Dr Narendra Are, Director of Medical Education, Hyderabad, Telangana
Dr Vikesh Agrawal |
“Most private insurance plans in India do not cover birth defects, despite their inclusion in government schemes like Ayushman Bharat. As millions of Indians transition from poverty to middle class, they lose access to government aid while being denied support from private insurers. This is a discriminatory practice and I urge authorities to mandate insurance coverage for congenital anomalies, especially if India aspires to be counted among developed nations,”
Dr Vikesh Agrawal, Jabalpur
Dr Manoj Joshi |
“Paediatric thoracic surgery cannot succeed in isolation it needs the combined efforts of paediatricians, neonatologists, pulmonologists, anaesthesiologists, radiologists, nurses, and post-operative care teams.”
Dr Manoj Joshi MGMCRI & SPTSCON 2025 Conference Chairman
Paediatric Conference
The Society of Paediatric Thoracic Surgery (SPTS), a section under the Indian Association of Paediatric Surgeons (IAPS), in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Chapter of Paediatric Surgeons, organised its first-ever national conference, SPTSCON 2025 on July 19 and 20, 2025, at the IRCAD India Center's SM Bhandari Auditorium, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences.
Advancements in diagnosis and surgery
Over the past decade, modern paediatric surgery has seen revolutionary changes: Advanced Diagnostics: 3D and 5D scans now detect defects even before birth through TIFA scans (Targeted Imaging for Foetal Anomaly).
Keyhole Surgery: Minimally invasive techniques using 3mm incisions have drastically reduced pain, recovery time, and complications. Safe Anaesthesia: Modern machines precisely monitor drug levels to ensure safe procedures for even the tiniest newborns.
Key Challenges in Paediatric Thoracic Surgery
Non-verbal Patients: Children, especially infants, cannot communicate their discomfort, making diagnosis more complex. Long-Term Outcomes: A paediatric surgeon’s success is measured not in weeks or months, but in decades of a child’s life saved. Parental Anxiety and Delays: Parents often hesitate at the thought of surgery, losing critical time in the process.
Infrastructure Gaps: Many areas, especially rural and tier-2 cities, lack trained paediatric surgeons and advanced surgical setups.
