Paediatricians, paediatric surgeons only should treat children

Holding this view, paediatric surgeons across the city are planning to conduct a free out patient department(OPD) in all private hospitals here next month.

"This seven day paediatric surgery OPD will start from September 5 wherein paediatric surgeons will screen children for all types of ailments and suggest respective treatment," said Dr Shilpa Sharma, secretary of Delhi chapter of Indian Association of Paediatric Surgeons and a paediatric surgeons with AIIMS Trauma Centre.

"Very few people are aware about the entity of paediatric surgeons. Till date children are taken to general surgeons for any kind of surgery despite the fact that ailments in children are different from that of adults and so need special intervention," she said.

Citing an example, Delhi chapter of IAPS president Dr Satish Agarwal, said, "experience has shown that children with brain injuries have a much better survival rate than adults and better long-term rehabilitation if they are treated in designated paediatric trauma centres."

Dr Sharma said, "Paediatric surgery field evolved for the development of children's surgery and focus on the special problems of newborn. Paediatric surgery has been existing since 1970 but till date awareness is minimal."

At present there are 62 paediatric surgeons across the city.