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On 2 October 2024, the Children’s Clinical University Hospital will celebrate its 125th anniversary with a conference where experts will share their knowledge and experience on what has been achieved in the field of children’s healthcare. During the conference, a project of great importance for the Children’s Hospital and Latvia will be officially launched – the Swiss-Latvian cooperation programme “Development of Childhood Cancer Care in Latvia”.
For 125 years, the Children’s Hospital has played a key role in children’s healthcare in Latvia and we have every reason to be proud of our contribution and achievements in the development of paediatrics. The conference, which has already become a traditional Children’s Hospital event, will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and discussion on the most pressing issues in children’s healthcare. The conference is open to medical professionals, especially general practitioners and paediatricians from all over Latvia, as well as those interested in children’s health issues.
The conference will be opened by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Latvia, Hossam Abu Meri, and the first part will be addressed by the Chairman of the Board of the Children’s Hospital, Valts Ābols, and the Member of the Board, Jari Petaja, focusing on general child health issues in Latvia and beyond. A special event will be the official launch of the Swiss-Latvian cooperation programme “Development of Childhood Cancer Care in Latvia”. This project will significantly improve the field of paediatric oncology by expanding it with even more advanced diagnostic and treatment approaches, as well as by establishing a long-term follow-up system for children with cancer. This project not only strengthens Latvia’s healthcare capacity, but also promotes international cooperation, ensuring that new world-class medical practices are effectively introduced in Latvia.
“In the new oncology care plan, we have paid special attention to paediatric oncology – early diagnosis, personalised treatment and, last but not least, the transition to adult treatment and the follow-up phase. The Swiss-Latvian cooperation programme will enable us to make these processes more efficient, including by gaining international experience and adopting best practices. Children are our future and this needs to be recognised in the field of oncology. The Children’s Hospital is currently doing a very good job in caring for young patients and with additional investment we can take this to an even higher level,” said Health Minister Hosam Abu Meri.
Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation Martin Michellet: “This unique programme will further strengthen the excellent bilateral relations between Switzerland and Latvia through cooperation between Swiss and Latvian hospitals. We are confident that by sharing our high level of expertise, experience and knowledge, this programme will have a direct impact on the most vulnerable paediatric patients in Latvia.”
The second part of the conference will include parallel sessions, in which experts from the Children’s Hospital will share their experience and knowledge on contemporary challenges in children’s healthcare, new diagnostic and treatment methods in paediatrics, complex clinical cases, as well as important topics such as the introduction of digital services in hospitals and the paradigm shift in the healthcare system.
Valts Ābols, Chairman of the Board of the Children’s Hospital, emphasises. This conference will not only look back on the achievements and contributions of the Children’s Hospital’s outstanding specialists in recent years, but will also be a great opportunity to look ahead to the future of the hospital. Children’s Hospital has and will continue to have much to be proud of.”
The conference will take place in person on 2 October 2024 at the event space “Fantadroms”, 74a Gustava Zemgala Street, Riga. As is tradition, visitors are invited to bring small new toys to the conference to fill the Courage Boxes of the young patients of the Children’s Hospital. More information about the conference programme and registration can be found HERE.
Participation fee – 15 Eur (is charged to cover the cost of the continuing education content of the second part of the conference, which offers in-depth knowledge and professional development for child health professionals).
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