THEME - CHILD HEALTH: From the Womb to Adolescence

The Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of the West Indies has held 17 consecutive conferences over the last years. Over the years, the conferences have been extremely successful. The conferences are not only for the medical and scientific community in Jamaica, the Caribbean and the world, but are also applicable to government and the wider population

Objectives

1. To present to the Jamaican people the research work that is taking place in the faculty. At this conference, faculty members and postgraduate and undergraduate students present their research findings. Practitioners in the field of Medicine and Paramedical personnel are updated on research and the latest developments in medicine. The workshop explores in-depth the theme.
2. To update medical practitioners and other members of the health team on the new developments in medicine in all the fields of medicine.
3. To update medical practitioners and other members of the health team on the new developments in medicine in the field of child health.
4. To inform change and to influence government and nongovernmental policies in the field of child health and development.
5. To sensitize the Jamaican people on the importance of child development on the country's present and future

• Faculty members and postgraduate and undergraduate students
• Medical practitioners and medical specialists
• Nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical technologists, dieticians and other members of the health team
• Policy developers of government and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs)

Last year's conference was tremendously success with a 2-day registration for continuing medical education (CME) of over 350 persons and a 3-day attendance of over 500 persons.

Child Development: from the womb to adolescence

1. Abortion: The Parliament has commissioned a team to hear presentations from the public on changing the laws that govern abortion. This has been generating much publicity. This will be an opportunity to hear the academic community's perspective.
2. Perinatal Mortality: In January 2009 it was reported in the public media that Jamaica's perinatal mortality has decreased minimally over the last ten years. We will address some of the issues influencing this process and offer solutions
3. The role of the intra-uterine mileu and the link to the chronic diseases of obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in adulthood will be explored.
4. The issues of the shift in paradigm from under-nutrition to over-nutrition in the society will be discussed
5. Immunization against the human papilloma virus (HPV): This virus is associated with carcinoma of the cervix. To prevent this in adulthood, the vaccination has to be given in early adolescence. The ethical issues that this raises will be discussed as well as the cost this will entail to the society
6. Immunization against measles: There was a recent measles outbreak, the result in a decrease in the immunization rate in the country. This is will be discussed
7. Autism and the role of vaccination, if any will be explored
8. Socialization and violence in children and adolescence and crime in Jamaica: There has been a public outcry against violence in schools and the presence of gangs that are said to be involved in criminal activities. Members of the gang are young adults. This will be discussed.
9. Sex and the Child: 1. There has been a recent upsurge in carnal abuse, rape and death in children who have been sexually assaulted. It is proposed to discuss the sexual predator and the pedophile
10. Sex and the Child: 2. The public has expressed regret at the early sexualization of our children through music, Internet and the media. The implications for teenage pregnancy, condoms in school, sex education in school will be explored
11. The Child Care and Protection Act: Already a doctor and a parent have been charged through this act for aiding and abetting an abortion in a child. In February 2009, a report by a medical team resulted in a child being charged for infanticide. The implications for the health team will be discussed.

Sponsorship Possibilities

1. The Sir Kenneth Standard Guest Lecturer
2. Opening ceremony.
3. Advertising in the West Indian Medical Journal.

This journal is in medical libraries all over the world and is subscribed to by many individual doctors all over the Caribbean and here in Jamaica.

These are many other ways of becoming involved with the conference. For your perusal , please see the enclosed list. We welcome any discussion with you.