ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 4, 2015/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
What: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Symposium
When: 7th – 10th December 2015
Where: The symposium will take place at the Military Medical Academy, Cairo, Egypt.
Who: The symposium is organized by the Government of Arab Republic of Egypt through the Egyptian Military Medical Academy and Al Galaa Military Medical Compound and African Union Commission through the Medical Services Directorate and Department of Social Affairs in association with the European Society for Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC).
Objectives: The symposium offers the participants the opportunity to learn the best practices, current issues, and evidence based improved management of critically ill newborns and other children.
Participants: Neonatologists and Paediatricians from across Africa and Europe.
Expected Outcome: Improved management of Paediatric and Neonatal emergencies and reduced child deaths in Africa.
Background: In Africa, about five children under 5 years of age are dying every minute. A third of all these deaths are in the newborn period. This huge loss of life is occasioned by poor access to life saving healthcare and it is of great concern to all.
The symposium is a unique and accredited educational experience for Neonatologists and Paediatricians from across Africa. It offers the participant the opportunity to learn the best practices, current issues, and evidence based improved neonatal and infant mechanical invasive and none Invasive ventilation. There will be additional lectures on Functional Echocardiography in Neonates and Paediatric Patients as well as lectures in the latest transport care and techniques of the critically ill infants and the introduction of a new monitoring score for early detection of infection in the critically infants. The Symposium also offers the opportunity for participants to have Hands-on experience under guidance of experts from Europe.
This symposium is in line with AU’s Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) theme, “Moving CARMMA to the next level: Mobilizing to End Maternal and Child Death in Africa by 2030”. The African Union hopes to accelerate and renew momentum towards ending preventable maternal and child deaths in Africa.
The symposium could not have come at a better time, as the Union is determined, more than ever before, to ensure that maternal and child health take center stage on the African development agenda as we enter the era of the Sustainable Development Goals.
It is hoped that the symposium will help improve newborn and child health in Africa and sustain the momentum for attaining the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
