As SHAWCO, we had the privilege of attending a conference on “Climate Change and the Environment: Understanding the Impact on Pediatric Practice to Secure Our Children’s Future.” Hosted by the International Society of Social Paediatrics and Kenya Paediatric Association in Mombasa, Kenya, this conference was an eye-opening experience for everyone in attendance. As a satellite group of UCT, we were excited to learn more about the critical issue of climate change and engage with like-minded individuals passionate about making a difference. In this blog post, we’ll take you through our highlights from the conference and share our newfound insights on the impact of climate change on child health.
Sharing SHAWCO’s Work with the World
One of the highlights of the conference was the opportunity to present on SHAWCO’s work and our experience as students regarding UCT’s climate-related curriculum. As a first-time attendee at a conference, it was nerve-wracking to present, but the chance to share our experiences and ideas with others who are working towards the same goal of sustainable Health-for-All was truly awesome. Seeing the positive response from our fellow attendees was rewarding and reinforced our belief that grassroots initiatives like SHAWCO can make a real difference.
Making Medical Practice Environmentally Friendly
One of our favorite topics covered at the conference was how to make our medical practice more environmentally friendly. We had never considered the impact of healthcare on the environment, but it makes sense that the industry plays a significant part in contributing to global warming. It was encouraging to hear about the initiatives already in place to mitigate healthcare’s carbon footprint and the steps we can individually take to make a difference in our own practices. For more information on these steps, check out mygreendoctor.org.
The Disastrous Effects of Climate Change on Children’s Health
However, it was the discussion on the disastrous effects climate change is having on children’s health right now that truly struck a chord with us. We learned about how climate change is leading to increased rates of malnutrition, waterborne diseases, and respiratory illnesses, all of which disproportionately affect children. As upcoming medical professionals, it was disheartening to hear about the preventable suffering caused by this issue. However, it also made us realize just how serious and prominent this issue is and how it is up to us as health professionals to try our best to fix it. Our future patients are counting on us.
Motivated and Empowered
Overall, the conference was a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its effects on global health. It was inspiring to hear from a community committed to finding solutions to these challenges. We all left the conference feeling motivated and empowered to continue the work towards a sustainable future for the children of today. As we continue our work with SHAWCO, we’ll keep in mind the importance of climate change and how we can make a difference in our communities. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the health of our planet and its people.
