Through its National Medical Association network, DFCA facilitated the engagement of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics in a South Asia regional webinar on Health Effects of Air Pollution on Children, organised by the Health Effects Institute in collaboration with South Asian pediatric associations.

The webinar convened pediatric leaders from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal to examine emerging evidence on the impacts of air pollution on respiratory health, neurodevelopment, birth outcomes, and long-term disease risk in children.

DFCA was represented by Dr. Carmin Uppal, who highlighted the responsibility of clinicians to translate scientific evidence into clinical practice, public engagement, and policy advocacy. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics was represented by Dr. Neelam Mohan, reaffirming IAP’s commitment to prioritising clean air as a child health imperative.

Looking ahead, this collaboration signals a growing regional alignment of pediatric and medical institutions to embed air pollution within routine child health discourse, strengthen clinician-led advocacy, and advance coordinated action for cleaner air across South Asia to safeguard the health of future generations.