The countdown to the 2010 International Pediatric Association Congress is on! In just over a year from now, between the 4th-9th August 2010, the South African Paediatric Association will welcome paediatricians from all over the world to the warm hospitality of Sandton, Johannesburg.
The Scientific Programme Committee consists of representative members from South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, matched by a group of their International counterparts. They all met in March in a series of meetings in Johannesburg and London, to finalize a programme to address the major issues faced by children globally and to meet the needs of practitioners with an interest in updating their knowledge of clinical paediatrics. In these tough economic times it is essential that the delegates who travel across the world get the best “bang for the buck” with regard to the priorities and practice of caring for children as well as a wonderful and relaxing break in a safe and beautiful environment. We promise you both!
The programme consists of a number of tracks weaving their way through parallel sessions; plenaries, symposia and workshops that are addressed by more than 100 invited international and local speakers; all experts in the field. The motto of the Congress is “Simunye – we are one” and this unification of our common purpose finds its way into all the sessions. The topics of the five plenary sessions have been carefully chosen to stimulate and challenge; the opening plenary is an overview of the state of the world’s children with an analysis of those countries that are on track to achieve the MDGs as well as those countries which remain challenged. The plenary on Nutrition includes discussion on the effects of early nutrition on long-term health, the “second epidemic – obesity” and the continuing medical and social problems of malnutrition.
Infectious diseases remain a major public health and clinical problem despite the advances in vaccines and antimicrobials. These issues are addressed by another plenary entitled “Are the bugs winning?” This is followed by a number of sessions on major infectious challenges and recent advances in vaccinology.
The vulnerable neonate remains a major challenge world-wide. This will be addressed in a plenary and sessions which look at global challenges such as the limits of viability, the essentials in resuscitation, outcomes of the very low birth weight baby, community care, necrotising enterocolitis and a host of other general and specific issues.
At the other end of the spectrum of the paediatrician is the adolescent. The programme includes specific problems such as sexuality as well as the challenges imposed by adolescence on the management of chronic childhood diseases such as epilepsy, diabetes and HIV infection.
The continuing explosion of knowledge in the area of the human genome has often resulted in the general paediatrician being confused rather enlightened. Experts will review, for the generalist, the essentials in the area as well as guidelines for genetic investigation. There will be an interactive workshop on the diagnosis of the dysmorphic child.
To complement the genetic aspects of illness, there are sessions on the effect of the environment on child health. This includes specific issues such as the deleterious effects of tobacco as well as the effect of disasters on children and the global trauma epidemic.
There are three areas in the programme that are being dealt with as broadly “cross-cutting”; ethics, training & education and surgical management. All speakers will be asked to, therefore, address these in the body of the talks. Notwithstanding this, there will be specific sessions on academic matters and ethical issues.
International congresses are not only about the scientific programme. We promise you a lot of fun with a variety of activities for the delegate and their families. Sandton is a safe, modern, vibrant city suburb with facilities to match any in the world. Before or after the Congress we would strongly advise all delegates to take some time off and spend a few days relaxing in South Africa. August is the end of winter and offers an ideal time to go on Safari to one of our renowned game parks.
See you soon.
Keith Bolton
President,
26th International Pediatric Association
Congress of Pediatrics.