IAP CANCL COMMITTEE

A vast majority of children in India face serious problem other than those that are directly related to health, the origins of which may be poverty, burgeoning population and callous social attitudes. Over a third of the child population in our country suffers from under nutrition, lack of appropriate education and opportunities for optimal development. A large proportion of child population is exploited in various forms and several million (who should be in schools) contribute to the country's labour force. Furthermore, the rapidly expanding child population compounds the issue. It is very obvious that the Governmental efforts for several reasons have been inadequate to tackle this serious and ever- worsening situation.

The cause of children has lacked advocacy. Whereas a number of agencies and organizations have made efforts to work in this area, some have made a notable impact. In this scenario, it is felt that the IAP must take up this cause and add to the impact. The IAP has adopted the "Comprehensive Child Care" program, making pediatricians concerned with all aspects of health, development and the quality of life of the children of our country. The Government and important national/international agencies now recognize the IAPs status and its advice is sought on important matters concerning children.

The IAP has decided to speak up and act for children in an increasingly forceful manner. Towards this end it has constituted a "Child Abuse, Neglect and Child Labour" (CANCL) Committee, which will spearhead its endeavor.

The chief objectives of the CANCL Committee are as follows:
1.     To reach out to the neglected, deprived and abused children for their comprehensive needs including health care, education and development, rehabilitation and protection.
2.     To formulate recommendations for health care and other needs and address them to the Government.
3.     To create social and community awareness of the problems of child abuse and neglect in its various forms; and child labour and bring about attitudinal changes.

To achieve the above objectives, the IAP has proposed the following strategies:

(i)     Constitution of CANCL, sub-committees in each State, major cities and whenever possible in Districts. These sub-committees would identify various organizations - government and non-government, which are working in the areas of child welfare and liason with them. A network of CANCL committees will be established, which should work in close cooperation.
(ii)     The CANCL sub-committees will identify local problems and issues. Although a great deal of information is already available, the detrimental effects on the growth and development of children employed in hazardous work, denial of access to education and adverse home and family situation need to be recognized and addressed.
(iii)     The health problems should be tackled with the help of local private practitioners, existing governmental health facilities and NGOs. Appropriate immunizations, deworming and treatment of anemia should have priority. Periodic health check-ups combined with health education and motivation of children should also be attempted.
(iv)     A flexible schedule for education 2-3 hours a day, should be organized with the help of NGOs; and local school and voluntary helpers from the community. Motivation may be a major hurdle; nevertheless the cooperation of parents and employers should be sought.
(v)     Prevention and rehabilitative measures for victims of physical and sexual abuse, torture and exploitation of children in drug trade. These are difficult issues but must also be tackled with the help of concerned individuals and groups and professional associations.
(vi)     Active efforts should be made to involve the media for their help.
(vii)     There are wider issues that directly or indirectly influence the problem of child abuse and neglect and child labour. Thus, the problem of rising population, economic deprivation of a large segment of society, rights of children etc should be taken up by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics in an appropriate manner.
Every State/City/District branch of IAP should adopt at least one orphanage or any Institution which houses underprivileged or mentally/physically challenged children.

IAP COMMITTEE ON CHILD ABUSE NEGLECT & CHILD LABOUR(CANCL)
Society Reg. No. BOM 127/1963 GBBSD * Public Trust Reg. No. F-1166 (BOM)
Secretariat - D II/2, 14 Rajpur Road, Civil Lines, Delhi - 110 054.
Tel: 011-3917754 ,011-6190763, Fax:011-3989461,011- 6163072

Office Bearers:
Chairman
DR RN SALHAN

Hony Secretary
DR KIRAN AGGARWAL

Advisors:
Dr Shanti Ghosh
Dr RN Srivastava
Dr Swati T Bhave

Treasurer
Dr Uma Agrawal

Members
Dr Meenakshi N Mehta
(Mumbai)

Dr SR Banerjee
(Calcutta)

Dr SP Srivastava
(Patna)

Dr Suraj Gupte
(Jammu)

Dr KN Ganeshan
(Gudiyatam)

Dr Ashraf Malik
(Aligarh)

Dr Ashok Gupta
(Jaipur)

Dr GS Hathi
(Mumbai)

Office
Secretary General, IAP