On the occasion of World Health Day 2025, Dr. Venugopal Reddy.I, a pediatrician, researcher, and Medical Director at Ovum Woman and Child Specialty Hospital, highlights the urgent need to invest in maternal and newborn health to secure a healthier, more hopeful future for our communities.
By Dr. Venugopal Reddy.I
Medical Director & Pediatrician, Ovum Woman and Child Specialty Hospital, Bangalore | Researcher | Author | Community Health Advocate
Each year, World Health Day reminds us of the collective responsibility we share in improving global health outcomes. In 2025, the World Health Organization’s theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” calls attention to a cause that is both deeply personal and universally significant — the survival and well-being of mothers and newborns.
As a pediatrician and medical director working closely with birthing units, NICUs, and community health initiatives in Bangalore, I can confidently say: the path to a strong, thriving future begins in the womb and continues through the first breath of life. Yet, far too often, that journey is cut short by preventable complications, lack of access, or delayed care.
Why Maternal and Newborn Health Must Be Prioritised
Despite improved access to healthcare in India, challenges such as anaemia, poor maternal nutrition, late antenatal care, and inadequate neonatal infrastructure continue to impact maternal and infant survival.
According to the latest statistics, India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is still at 97 per 100,000 live births, and over 600,000 newborns die each year, mostly from preventable causes. These numbers are not just figures — they represent hopes lost, futures altered, and families devastated.
What “Healthy Beginnings” Truly Mean
The first 1000 days — from conception to a child’s second birthday — are critical for brain development, physical growth, and immunity. Any gap in maternal care, poor nutrition, or missed neonatal support during this window can lead to lifelong challenges in learning, health, and development.
“Healthy beginnings” means:
- A mother receiving timely and respectful prenatal care
- Births attended by skilled professionals
- Emergency obstetric and neonatal services being readily available
- Postnatal care, breastfeeding support, and maternal mental health services being routine
- A newborn receiving warmth, love, and vaccines from the very beginning
How Ovum Hospital is Making a Difference
At Ovum Woman and Child Specialty Hospital, our mission is to ensure that no mother or child is left behind, regardless of their background. Our initiatives include:
- Comprehensive antenatal care with fetal screening and high-risk pregnancy management
- State-of-the-art NICU & PICU facilities managed by trained neonatologists
- Subsidised maternal and newborn services through our outreach programs and Ovum Foundation
- Community education initiatives in partnership with ASHA workers and local organisations
- Research-backed neonatal protocols that ensure safe outcomes for preterm and high-risk babies
Building Hopeful Futures: The Role of Innovation and Policy
In my dual role as a researcher and healthcare leader, I see technology and innovation as powerful tools for equity. Digital maternal records, AI-assisted fetal monitoring, tele-NICU consultations, and real-time newborn screening programs can bridge gaps between urban and rural care.
We must also focus on:
- Scaling maternal nutrition programs and tackling anaemia
- Strengthening transport and referral systems for emergencies
- Expanding public-private partnerships for accessible care
- Integrating maternal mental health into postnatal services
- Training and retaining skilled nurses and midwives in underserved areas
Real Stories, Real Impact
Behind every healthy baby is a story of timely care, community support, and clinical excellence. One such story at Ovum involved a 29-week preterm baby weighing just 900 grams. With NICU support, expert neonatal management, and dedicated family involvement, today that child is not only surviving — but thriving.
These stories remind us that when systems work, lives are saved — and hope is born.
Conclusion: A Future That Begins Today
This World Health Day, let us commit ourselves to a future where no mother dies while giving life, and no child dies before living it. The health of mothers and newborns is not just a medical issue — it is a moral, economic, and societal priority.
Let’s protect every beginning. Let’s nurture every hope.
Because a healthy beginning is the most powerful investment we can make in a hopeful future.
About the Author:
Dr. Venugopal Reddy.I is a senior pediatrician, researcher, author, and community health advocate. He currently serves as the Medical Director at Ovum Woman and Child Specialty Hospital, Bangalore, where he leads clinical strategy, public health initiatives, and neonatal care innovation. He has published extensively on pediatric health, and is committed to improving maternal and child outcomes across India.