CHENNAI: Doctors are key links in the child protection network, often the first port of call for an injured/abused or neglected child, say a group of paediatricians from the United Kingdom.

The group, visiting Chennai with a team of detectives from the Northumbria police, is trying to get doctors to take responsibility for identifying abused and neglected children. "Doctors play a key role. Paediatricians should be aware of the different presentations of abuse, recognise them and try to help the child, because that child might not have another opportunity," says Margaret Lynch, emeritus professor of Community Paediatrics, King's College, London.

"More easy in U.K."

A founder-member and former president of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), Prof. Lynch says child protection must come out of the social or welfare domain.

She has been advising the Government in the United Kingdom on the framework to be followed for cases of child abuse and neglect, drawing up a protocol that all medical professionals may be advised to adopt. "Of course, it is all the more easy in the U.K. where most doctors are in the National Health System. In India, where you have a lot of doctors in the private health sector, it might not be that simple."

Framework needed

The doctor's first task would be to save the child's life, if the situation is life threatening.

Coordinating with the police and the social service department and consulting people who know the child well is also important, say the experts.

"Child protection is everyone's responsibility," adds Neela Shabde, consultant paediatrician and clinical director of Children's Services, Northumbria NHS Trust, U.K. It is essential that doctors be given a clear framework to work with. Problems exist primarily because children's issues are dealt with across departments and ministries, besides the police.

In addition, dealing with child abuse cases in which the perpetrator is more often someone close to the family requires delicate handling.

"Training necessary"

Prof. Lynch suggests that training for medical professionals to recognise child abuse begin at the undergraduate level itself.

By the time the doctor is ready to begin practice, he/she learns to listen to the child, look for unexplained injuries and not interrogate the child, and give the child the benefit of doubt.

Workshop

Both the doctors are in Chennai to train Indian doctors in child protection at a workshop organised, by Tulir-Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse, on January 8 and 9.

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