EPA-UNEPSA JOINS AND STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE IPA STATEMENT ON SAFETY AND HEALTH OF CHILDREN LIVING IN UKRAINE


IPA Statement on Safety and Health of Children Living in Ukraine The International Pediatric Association (IPA) is deeply concerned for the safety and health condition of all children who are suffering and affected due to the war between Ukraine and Russia. We also very concerned for the children for now refugees in neighboring countries. Children are often the innocent victims during armed conflicts. In alignment with the IPA constitution and on behalf of all children, we call on all international communities to take the necessary measures in support of the safety and well-being of children affected by the war in Ukraine. Exposure to war and violent acts adversely affects the life trajectory of children far more than adults. Apart from the potential for loss of live, physical injury and disability, disruption of their daily lives, schooling, parental and family support could lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues. Poor nutrition, insufficient water safety, poor sanitation, loss of housing, limited access to healthcare, increased risk of communicable diseases, with population movement all contribute to impact war have on children. As pediatricians, we are committed to the health and well-being of children from all racial and ethnic backgrounds. By ensuring these rights, only then we can protect children and secure their future. Today in Ukraine, a child may lose his or her live, become injured or disabled, loose a parent or a family member, learning opportunity at school, time to live as a child and play with friends. Their lives will not be the same when the war ends and they will carry the scars of the distress they endured for the rest of their lives. This letter serves as the official position statement and we invite the international community to make every effort for the war to end as soon as possible, in the interest of protecting children's safety, wellbeing, education, and health in Ukraine. We should all strive for fair, equal, and dignified treatment of children. We should protect the rights of children to be protected from harm throughout the fighting, and their safety must be a priority under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). In addition, humanitarian supplies including food and medical supplies to the families and children should be ensured as generous and efficient. These actions are imperative to prevent the detrimental effects of war on psychological and physical health over children.

EPA-UNEPSA joins IPA in: working for Every Child, Every Age, Everywhere
Prof. Enver Hasanoğlu President , Prof. Aman Pulungan IPA Executive Director
Massimo Pettoello-Mantovani, President EPA-UNEPSA (IPA Member Society)

“Diversity of child health care services in Europe”

to be published in the “EPA-UNEPSA Editorial Series” of the Journal of Pediatrics
(Multi-National collaborative project)

The existing inequalities in the health status of children and adolescents within Europe are unacceptable and therefore should be of common concern to all paediatric societies. However, the health of paediatric patients is rather seldom discussed by others than physicians. Children and adolescents are one of the healthiest populations and thereby measured - compared to the rest of the population - relative cheap for the health system of the country.

The 50 National European Societies and Associations, members of EPA-UNEPSA and their Presidents are invited to actively collaborate to this project which would look into the strengths and weaknesses of the child health care system in Europe, also exploring possible future health plans. Its focus lies on making idiosyncrasies of national health care services in Europe understandable to those pediatricians working in other countries. Understanding why and how child health care services differ from country to country, may open the eyes of all European pediatric care givers and public health experts. Global information and learning across borders are a great opportunity, not necessarily having to result in unifying concepts or in giving up processes that are implemented successfully in another country. Instead, they should aim to avoid those unnecessary processes in child care that, unless abandoned, may be responsible for a poor outcome of child health. Often countries have many distinct regional differences; most significantly between northern and southern as well as eastern and western regions. When it comes to problem solving strategies, pediatricians must be aware of unavoidable cultural and historical differences which may influence the outcome of care. Even when assuming unlimited financial resources, different regional priorities might result in diverging goals.

The Journal of Pediatrics has agreed to support the EPA-UNEPSA initiative of publishing three supplement volumes on diversity of child healthcare in Europe. EPA-UNEPSA will provide the necessary organisational and financial basis for printing the articles from the various European nations. We are confident that EPA-JPED supplements on children’s health care in Europe will be of interest to readers in Europe and beyond. The National Societies and Associations members of EPA-UNEPSA are kindly invited to become co-authors and give their contribution. You can contact the Chief Editor of EPA-UNEPSA, and project coordinator prof. Jochen Ehrich (Ehrich.Jochen@mh-hannover.de).