More than 30 national and international experts addressed the challenges and opportunities in genetics, nutrition and environmental factors that impact children's health in Ecuador and the region. The Early Childhood Health Symposium was organized by the Harriet Joyce Foundation together with the Universidad Espiritu Santo to access cutting-edge perspectives that will contribute to the well-being and development of Ecuador's children.
The international specialists were from institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital and Johns Hopkins. The meeting was aimed at physicians, representatives of the Ministry of Health and also families affected by these disorders.
“The objective of the Growing Together: Genetics, Nutrition and Environmental Factors event was to bring technology from abroad to serve the country. It is truly a luxury to have these eminent experts, as we have never had such international experts from the scientific world gathered in one place,” emphasized Juan Carlos Zevallos, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UEES.
Jeffrey Himmel, President of the Harriet Joyce Foundation, said, «This effort sets a new standard for innovation and collaboration in public health, paving the way for a healthier future for Ecuadorian families.
Dan Deckelbaum, professor at McGill University Health Centre said, “It's absolutely amazing what's being done here. I think some of the key features really are: the collaboration between agencies, between hospitals, between all the health sectors, both in Ecuador and also the importance of listening to the data, collecting the data and using the data to drive educational programs based on the local gaps that exist here. In this way, we can all learn from each other on how to provide better care to our communities.”.
Thus, with this meeting, which highlighted interdisciplinary collaboration, a firm step has been taken towards transforming pediatric care in the country and improving the health and well-being of families and society.
