The Maternal and Child Health Symposium (MCH 2020), held by Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, wrapped up its three-day conference with key calls to action on better nutrition for women, importance of HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccines in adolescent women and investment in further research to understand pregnancy complications.
The symposium, which took place at the Qatar National Convention Centre brought together nearly 600 delegates including well-known researchers, clinicians, trainees, postdoctoral researchers, students and all members of the community to cover advancement methods in the field of reproductive health, pregnancy, foetal and post-natal life.
The conference is in alignment with Qatar’s National Health strategy 2018-2022 priority targets: Healthy women leading to healthy pregnancies and was co-chaired by Dr Souhaila al-Khodor, director of Maternal and Child Health Programme and Dr Annalisa Terranegra, investigator in Nutritional Genomics and Metabolism, Sidra Medicine.
Dr Khalid Fakhro, acting chief research officer at Sidra Medicine said, “MCH 2020 showcased the successful integration of our clinical and research maternal programmes at Sidra Medicine. International and local speakers shared their experience on topics such as gestational diabetes, pre-term birth, perinatal child health and reproductive conditions such as infertility that affect millions of women and men worldwide.”
During a session by Prof Kent L Thornburg, titled, “The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease paradigm: Maternal Roots of Adult Onset Chronic Disease”, it was noted that the introduction of good nutrition in the early stages of a woman’s life is fundamental not only for her health, but also for healthier pregnancies and healthier babies. The theory was supported by several speakers who shared best practice examples and research programmes from Qatar as well as from the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and other countries.
The MCH 2020 Symposium included a pre-conference seminar and community workshop aimed at pregnant women and first-time mothers to provide them with information regarding nutrition and exercise during pregnancy. The conference also marked International Women’s Day with the delegates on March 8.
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