The Role of Preventative Care in Empowering Little Lives

Last Updated:February 23, 2025, 08:07 IST

Whether administering vaccines against life-threatening diseases or treating common ailments, paediatricians lay the groundwork for a child’s lifelong wellness.

Paediatricians act as silent guardians throughout a child’s growth and well-being, providing the first line of expert care to ensure optimal health outcomes. However, their contributions often go unrecognised. A paediatrician is not merely a healthcare provider; they are also advocates for preventive health. Being the first caregiver to a child, it is their responsibility to educate families, raise awareness about advanced healthcare solutions and be updated with the latest changes in medical science. Whether administering vaccines against life-threatening diseases or treating common ailments, paediatricians lay the groundwork for a child’s lifelong wellness.

Preventive healthcare is a cornerstone of paediatric care, with paediatricians protecting children from over 30 diseases before the age of five. However, it is essential to recognise that merely relying on conventional vaccines and treatments is no longer sufficient. Continuous innovation is crucial for achieving better prevention and addressing emerging health challenges in our evolving world.

One vital area where paediatricians play a role is in preventing chickenpox, a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella virus. While often seen as a common childhood ailment, chickenpox poses serious risks. Despite this, chickenpox vaccination has not been included in India’s Universal Immunization Programme, leading to recurrent outbreaks in the country. The complications associated with chickenpox can include secondary infections, permanent scarring, and the development of herpes zoster, a painful debilitating condition, later in life. Furthermore, during pregnancy, chickenpox can result in maternal mortality or severe complications such as fetal varicella syndrome and neonatal varicella. Whether mild or serious, chickenpox always leaves a mark, both physical and mental.

While vaccines help a child against many critical diseases, effective treatments are equally important for managing illnesses which are not preventable by vaccines, especially given the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance, which has diminished the effectiveness of many traditional antibiotics. Severe bacterial infections such as sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis pose significant risks to children. As per a study, 52% of community-onset infections were caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains is linked to the high consumption of antibiotics in the country, which has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Both Gram positive and Gram negative resistant infections are increasingly becoming difficult to treat.It is important to know the bacteria causing the infection to use the specific targeted antibiotic. In this context, cloxacillin is a specific and very effective agent for infectious bacterium Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), which can cause infections in the skin and other body parts. Its reliable and effective antibacterial medication.

Cloxacillin has the ability to penetrate body tissues and its strong safety profile make it an essential tool in paediatric care. Dr. Vijay Yewale, Ex-IAP President, Head, Apollo Children’s Hospitals, Navi Mumbai states, “In today’s environment, where antibiotic resistance is a significant concern, cloxacillin stands out as an innovative medicine. Its targeted action and safety profile make it ideal for paediatric use, ensuring effective treatment without compromising safety.”

Pharmaceutical companies like Novo Medi Sciences (Novo Group) are addressing these challenges by introducing vaccines that are made for India, like Nexipox, worlds only thermostable, and highly effective chickenpox vaccine. Novo Group is also addressing the concerns of introducing vaccines for diseases which are not currently available in India and have a high prevalence like Hand Foot Mouth Disease in children. They have also launched India’s only cloxacillin syrup for children. Forum Bhagat, Managing Director of Novo Medi Sciences (Novo Group), remarked, “The vision of Novo Group since its inception in 1946 has been to ensure that advanced solutions are accessible to every child, providing them with a healthy start to life. While innovation is the key to improving patient care, Novo being the pioneers in pediatric healthcare has the socio-economic responsibility to address illnesses of mass concern like introducing cloxacillin.”

Greater collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, and pharmaceutical companies is needed to foster a healthier future for India’s children. Expanding vaccine access and promoting innovative treatments will continue transforming paediatric care in India.

Let us acknowledge the pivotal role paediatricians play in guiding the next generation toward health and wellness. Their dedication, combined with innovations in healthcare, ensures that every child has the opportunity to thrive.