Children palliative care: Medical personnel enhance skills

A two-day workshop organised by the University of Yaounde I and “Médecins du Monde” ends today in Yaounde.

Over 100 medical practitioners from different domains are currently undergoing training on how to enhance the quality of life for children in the face of an ultimately terminal condition. Organised by Doctors of the World (Médecins du Monde) from Switzerland and the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, the two-day workshop which ends today April 14, is within the first phase of a project “Children Palliative Care in South Countries.”

The project aims to give access to and improve pediatric palliative care and support of pain for vulnerable (children) populations on the international scene. It is an initiative of “Medecins du Monde”.

While opening the workshop on behalf of the Rector of the University of Yaounde I, the Vice-Rector in Charge of Teaching, Professor Daniel Abwa lauded the initiative which is not only going to edify student doctors on pediatric palliative care but will also help those already working to better handle such situations when need arises.

The Director of the Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation, Professor Koki Ndombo who is a pediatrician, explained that they are out to know better how to care for children with diseases that cannot be treated and how they can reduce pain and discomfort the children face in a bid to boost their moral and wellbeing.

He explained that a lot needs to be known by medical personnel on how to treat or delay pains in children not only with drugs but with other professionals such as educationists, humorists and musicians.

Besides sensitisation and theoretical sessions, participants at the workshop will also share experiences with experts from other countries such as Uganda and Kenya. The Hemato-Oncologist Paediatrician from Doctors of the World, Dr Cecile Choudja Ouabo said they will discuss on oncology paediatric cancer, neonatology pathologies in children amongst other issues.

At the end of the workshop, it is expected that participants will not only be informed on what palliative care is about but will also be able to integrate it immediately in their daily duties. The President of the Treatment of Pain Society in Cameroon who is also the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Yaounde I, Professor Ze Minkande Jacqueline said the workshop is within the role of the faculty to train doctors from the base to become generalist or specialist.