Pediatrics to have their own television network

Waiting for your turn at the paediatric’s clinic just got more educative. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) has launched a TV network called the IAP-TV, that will be available for over 25,000 paediatric clinics across the country to  play on their television screens in the waiting room.

The network will feature shows aimed at parents, on everything from immunisation to ways to prevent stunting. The content will be vetted by doctors before being aired.

“We have a team of around 25, who will make videos after doctors have ratified the content,” said Dr Pramod Jog, President, IAP.

The content will be available free of cost to all paediatricians. Programmes are being planned in two languages, Hindi and English. Doctors can opt for either language based on their patient-base. IAP plans to have up to seven regional languages at a later stage.

Parents visit the paediatrician around six times a year for various immunisations. Doctors believe it is a good opportunity to educate family members about different health issues. “The content will be ad-free, but IAP will source funding for the programmes. A strict guideline has been put in place for pharmaceutical companies that will fund our programmes,” added Dr Jog.

The project aims to be the world’s largest maternal health programme that promotes healthy policies for both mother and child.