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)

"The future of international paediatric congresses"

(Working Group)

National and international medical congresses are an integral part of continuous professional development for health scientists and clinicians. However, recent scientific publications, have emphasized that medical congresses are becoming larger, more luxurious, and expensive, with a possible impact on their cost-benefit, and considerable concern was raised about their value or whether they are merely “a profit making enterprise” (Acta Paediatrica. 2012;101:1194-5 1.click here).

The further proliferation of national and international paediatric congresses in Europe, has become an issue for the scientific societies as well as for industry, and EPA-UNEPSA started the debate on such important problem with an article published on the Journal of Pediatrics (2015;166:504-506 2.click here). Often, such congresses are in fact not related to established national scientific societies and are developed by self-appointed scientific teams, groups and organizations. Therefore, the scientific conclusions are not officially recognized and the practical outcome of such meetings is basically a mere draining of resources from the industry/companies, with no real benefit to children and their health.

Such topics were openly and fruitfully debated in collaboration with the European Academy of Pediatrics (EAP) and ESPGHAN (representing the European pediatric specialty societies), in a dedicated workshop which was held during the 7th Europaediatrics. EPA-UNEPSA promoted the founding of a multilateral working group which will explore this delicate matter, leading to a position document to be shared by the main National European Paediatric Societies and Associations and the Private Sector. We invite the EPA-UNEPSA member organizations and the representatives of private sector and industry to join the working group and to give their important contribution.

If you are interested to join the Working Group, please contact the WG coordinator, Dr. Simon Lenton (simonlenton@doctors.org.uk) or the secretary general of EPA-UNEPSA at secretarygeneral@epa-unepsa.org.