Tue Mar 25 17:58:10 UTC 2025: ## Vellore CMC Hosts Awareness Program for World Down Syndrome Day
**Vellore, March 26, 2025** – The Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore observed World Down Syndrome Day (March 21) with an awareness program titled “Down with dignity: Improving our support systems.” The event, organized by the Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Department of Clinical Genetics, aimed to educate healthcare professionals and strengthen support networks for individuals with Down syndrome.
The program featured a talk on developmental challenges in children with Down syndrome by Professor Beena Koshy of Development Paediatrics. Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and students, participated enthusiastically, alongside families of children with Down syndrome. Leading experts from CMC, including Professor Lilly Verghese (Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology), Professor Sumita Danda (Head of Medical Genetics), Professor Mary Purna Chacko (Head of Cytogenetics), and Professor Manisha Beck (Head of Fetal Medicine Unit), were present. Inclusive educators from Chennai also contributed to the program.
Down syndrome, the most common chromosomal abnormality in live births (affecting 1 in 800), was highlighted. The condition, characterized by an extra copy of chromosome 21 and associated health and developmental challenges, often leads to societal stigmatization. The CMC emphasized the need for improved understanding and support to enhance the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome.
First Piper 