NEW DELHI: Every year, nearly 6 lakh babies in India are born with congenital anomalies. Yet, the country has no national registry to track them.With congenital conditions now accounting for a growing share of child deaths as infectious mortality declines, experts say the gap in surveillance and coordinated care is becoming urgent. India contributes 16% of global deaths linked to birth defects, according to recent estimates. On Monday, Smile Train India and the Birth Defects Research Foundation launched the Birth Anomalies Network of India (BIND) to push for prevention, early diagnosis, and structured long-term care. The multi-stakeholder platform was unveiled at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Central to its agenda is a proposed National Birth Anomalies Registry to generate reliable nationwide data, identify preventable risk factors, and guide health planning. Israel attacks IranUS F-15 down in Kuwait? Iran shares video showing fighter jet engulfed in flames, pilots ejectingIranian state media claims US fighter jet downed in Kuwait; explosions in Bahrain, Dubai, DohaIsrael bombs Hezbollah targets in Beirut; Gulf nations vow to defend themselves — key pointsExperts acknowledged that current surveillance is fragmented, screening is uneven, and referral pathways are weak, especially outside metros. Congenital heart disease, cleft lip and palate, spina bifida, clubfoot, Down syndrome, and vision and hearing impairments form a substantial part of the burden. Many are treatable if detected early, but multidisciplinary care is rarely integrated into routine newborn services. Mamta Carroll, vice president and regional director, Asia, Smile Train, said birth anomalies remained under-recognised in public discourse. Dr Anita Kar of Birth Defects Research Foundation warne that without systematic registries, policy responses remain piecemeal. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC Calls Out BJP on Fiscal Fairness and State Autonomy: ‘YOU ARE TAKING TAXES FROM BENGAL…’PM Modi Speaks To Saudi Crown Prince And Bahrain King, Condemns Iran AttacksMamata Banerjee Vows Bengal Poll Win Despite Voter Deletions, Abhishek Claims BJP Won’t Pass 50 SeatsUS-ISRAEL-IRAN WAR: How Will It Impact India’s Oil, Trade & Air Travel| EXPLAINED‘Not for the People’: Shah Accuses Mamata of Pushing Dynasty PoliticsStill Reeling From India’s Strikes, Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Base Hit Again By Taliban DronesUN Rights Chief Praises India’s Civil Society And Condemns Human Rights Abuses In Pakistan And ChinaKhomeini’s Indian Connection: Ahmad Hindi, Barabanki, and the Legacy Behind Iran’s First Supreme LeaderPM Modi Uses T20 Cricket Analogy For India-Canada Partnership At CEO Forum, Carney Smiles’Arise, Awake, And Stop Not’: Canada PM Carney Quotes Vivekananda To Announce India-Canada Tie Reset123PhotostoriesHoli Special: How to make Kathal Ki Sabzi at homeExclusive: The 50s Monalisa opens up on feeling sidelined by TV actors, hits back at Rajat Dalal and reacts to plastic surgery remarks about Nikki TamboliTop 5 Harrison Ford films to watch on OTT: ‘What Lies Beneath’, ‘The Age of Adaline’ and ‘Air Force One’10 black-coloured foods and why you should eat more of themAll eyes are on stylish newlyweds Rashmika Mandanna-Vijay Deverakonda as they join Allu Arjun at Sirish’s pre-wedding soiréeZendaya & Tom Holland; Billy Crudup & Naomi Watts: Celebs who secretly tied the knot away from the spotlightUS-Israel attack on Iran: Khamenei’s death, Iran’s retaliation and military arsenals in action- in picsFeeling exhausted? How to know if it’s low B12 or burnout and what to do about it6 ways to improve your car’s fuel efficiency10 food one should essentially eat in the month of March and why123Hot PicksIran droneSaudi AramcoGold rate todayDubai airportIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingTaylor SwiftUS Israel Strike IranUS Attack on IranCBSE postpones Class 10 and 12 board examsUS F15 DownLucknow crime newsMiddle East CrisisIsrael Iran ConflictICAI CA Final Result JanuarySchool Holiday in March
NEW DELHI: Every year, nearly 6 lakh babies in India are born with congenital anomalies. Yet, the country has no national registry to track them.With congenital conditions now accounting for a growing share of child deaths as infectious mortality declines, experts say the gap in surveillance and coordinated care is becoming urgent. India contributes 16% of global deaths linked to birth defects, according to recent estimates. On Monday, Smile Train India and the Birth Defects Research Foundation launched the Birth Anomalies Network of India (BIND) to push for prevention, early diagnosis, and structured long-term care. The multi-stakeholder platform was unveiled at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Central to its agenda is a proposed National Birth Anomalies Registry to generate reliable nationwide data, identify preventable risk factors, and guide health planning. Experts acknowledged that current surveillance is fragmented, screening is uneven, and referral pathways are weak, especially outside metros. Congenital heart disease, cleft lip and palate, spina bifida, clubfoot, Down syndrome, and vision and hearing impairments form a substantial part of the burden. Many are treatable if detected early, but multidisciplinary care is rarely integrated into routine newborn services. Mamta Carroll, vice president and regional director, Asia, Smile Train, said birth anomalies remained under-recognised in public discourse. Dr Anita Kar of Birth Defects Research Foundation warne that without systematic registries, policy responses remain piecemeal.