UNICEF India, Press Information Bureau (Western Zone), and AIIMS Nagpur concluded a two-day media capacity-building workshop focused on strengthening reporting on childhood non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The workshop, held at AIIMS Nagpur, brought together over 30 media persons from Western India who gained direct exposure to how childhood NCDs are diagnosed, treated, and managed at the Centre of Excellence for childhood NCDs at AIIMS Nagpur.
The workshop aimed to highlight the rising risk of NCDs among children aged 5 to 9 and adolescents aged 10 to 19 across western and central India. In tribal and rural areas, childhood NCDs often occur alongside limited access to diagnosis and specialist care, while urban centers are witnessing a parallel rise in conditions such as childhood obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders driven by sedentary lifestyles, screen time, and dietary changes. Childhood conditions frequently remain undetected until complications develop in both rural/tribal and urban settings.
Key officials emphasized the importance of the initiative. Smita Vats Sharma, Director General of Press Information Bureau (Western Zone), stated that public health reporting shapes awareness and public action, with journalists having important responsibility to present evidence-based information. Dr Prashant Joshi, Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur, emphasized that childhood NCDs have long incubation periods starting from childhood, requiring early diagnosis, continuous care, and strong public health systems. Zafrin Chowdhury, Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Partnership at UNICEF India, noted that accurate media reporting can encourage early detection, challenge stigma, and reinforce that these conditions are preventable and treatable.
The workshop included a visit to the Centre of Excellence for childhood NCD at AIIMS Nagpur where media persons met doctors, children, and caregivers and saw first-hand the realities of long-term care. Participants also engaged in an interactive quiz to build their understanding of childhood NCDs and worked in groups to develop story ideas and reporting angles. The workshop highlighted Government of India resources available for health reporting, including NFHS and SRS surveys, the POSHAN-tracker website, and other cross-Ministry resources.
This initiative is part of a broader effort that includes a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year between the Government of Maharashtra and AIIMS Nagpur, with strategic support from UNICEF India, to strengthen prevention and management of childhood NCDs across the state. The workshop marks the start of a sustained engagement that will run through to NCD Week in September 2026, aimed at improving public understanding of childhood NCDs and strengthening evidence-based health reporting.