Children are the future of every society. A healthy, energetic and mentally strong generation is essential for a nation’s progress, prosperity and stability. Therefore, ensuring children’s health, proper newborn care and meeting their early nutritional needs is not merely a family responsibility but also an important national and social obligation. Raising awareness among parents about accurate medical information is, therefore, the need of the hour.
To highlight these important issues, a special awareness session on child health, breastfeeding and the early nutritional needs of newborns was organized on Radio Pakistan Sargodha’s popular informative programme “Shaheen Sargodha.” Paediatrician and neonatologist and Chief Executive Officer of Al-Haram Hospital, Dr. Muhammad Usman Mazhar Malik, participated as a special guest. The programme was hosted by senior anchorperson Sabtain Baloch and renowned drama artist and senior anchorperson Inam Khan.
The session was particularly commendable because it did not remain limited to a formal discussion on a medical topic. The conversation began with Dr. Muhammad Usman Mazhar Malik’s educational and professional journey before focusing on the highly sensitive issue of child health and presenting it in a simple and understandable manner for the general audience.
Dr. Malik shed light on various stages of his educational and professional career. He said that he completed his matriculation from Army Public School in 2006 and his F.Sc. from FC College Lahore in 2008, before obtaining his medical degree from Rawalpindi in 2013. During his house job at Jinnah Hospital Lahore under the supervision of Agha Shabbir Ali, he gained valuable practical experience in medicine and patient care.
The real significance of the programme emerged when the discussion turned towards breastfeeding and newborn health. The first few days and weeks of a child’s life are extremely important for his or her future health and development. Even minor negligence during this period can sometimes lead to serious complications, while appropriate care, proper early nutrition and timely medical guidance can provide a strong foundation for a healthy life.
Breast milk is one of nature’s most valuable gifts for a newborn. Parents should therefore understand its importance and avoid unnecessarily switching to alternative feeds or formula milk without medical advice. Since the medical circumstances of every mother and child can differ, parents should consult a qualified healthcare professional whenever they face difficulties or have concerns regarding breastfeeding or newborn nutrition.
In the modern era, an abundance of information is available through social media, websites and various other sources. However, advice from unqualified individuals and unreliable sources can sometimes create confusion and make it difficult for parents to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate information. In matters as sensitive as child health, such misinformation can have serious consequences. Parents should therefore seek guidance from qualified doctors regarding a child’s nutrition, growth, vaccination, illness or any unusual symptoms.
An important feature of the “Shaheen Sargodha” session was the direct participation of listeners. Parents and members of the public from different areas called the programme and asked questions concerning child health, breastfeeding and the nutritional needs of newborns. Dr. Muhammad Usman Mazhar Malik answered their questions in detail and provided practical guidance. In this way, radio served not merely as a source of information but also as a useful bridge between medical experts and the public.
Health awareness is, in many ways, preventive care before treatment becomes necessary. If parents are provided with accurate information at the right time, many health problems can potentially be prevented. This responsibility becomes even more important in the case of newborns, who cannot communicate their needs or discomfort themselves. Parents should remain attentive to unusual changes in a baby’s temperature, feeding, sleep, breathing pattern and overall condition and should seek prompt medical advice whenever necessary.
Another important piece of advice highlighted by Dr. Muhammad Usman Mazhar Malik was that parents should gather information in advance about the facilities available for newborns when choosing a hospital or healthcare centre for childbirth. A nursery equipped to provide newborns with initial medical monitoring, appropriate temperature control and other essential facilities can play a vital role in protecting babies during difficult situations.
The initiative by Radio Pakistan Sargodha is also highly appreciable because the role of a public broadcaster is not confined to news and entertainment. Promoting public health awareness and social consciousness is equally an important responsibility. Inviting medical experts to programmes and enabling them to answer questions directly from the public can help promote positive and responsible health practices in society.
There is a need to continue such awareness programmes on a regular basis. Expert discussions on maternal and child health, newborn care, nutrition, vaccination, prevention of common childhood illnesses, mental health and parenting skills can prove extremely beneficial for the public.
A healthy child is the foundation of a healthy society. Understanding the importance of breastfeeding, providing proper newborn care, relying on qualified medical advice and avoiding unverified information are important responsibilities of every parent. At the same time, the media has a duty to provide the public with accurate, reliable and useful information.
The special session of “Shaheen Sargodha” on Radio Pakistan Sargodha was a commendable example of responsible journalism and public service. Such programmes not only provide valuable information but also remind parents that even a small amount of timely attention to a child’s health can become the foundation of a brighter and healthier future.
