WHD 2003 Events - Ireland

These summaries have been uploaded in the language in which they were received, and will not be translated.

World Health Day 2003 - Shape the future of life: Healthy Environments for Children

Date: Monday 7th April 2003

Location: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9

Summary: The National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) and the Health Promotion Department in Beaumont Hospital are working together to increase awareness of health risks to children and in turn to promote a healthier environment for them. The Poisons Centre plays a key role in protecting the health of children who have been exposed to poisons found at home or in the community. The NPIC proposes to distribute Poison Prevention Guidelines to various groups involved with children. There will be a contact point in the foyer in Beaumont Hospital on this day distributing leaflets and where staff of the NPIC will be available to answer any questions. We have also provided a press release to various Irish medical papers re-iterating how GP's and Medical Staff can contact us 24 hours a day for information to assist them in managing the poisoned patient.

More information:

Niamh Walsh (Ms)
National Poisons Information Centre
Fax: +353 1 836 8476
npic.dublin@beaumont.ie

International Seminar to Promote Awareness of World Health Day

Date: 2 April 2003, 2-5pm

Location: The Mansion House, Dublin

Summary: Over 65 participants (health specialists, academics, diplomats and parliamentarians) registered for the International Seminar to promote awareness of World Health Day, hosted on 2 April 2003 by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Dermot Lacey at his official offices in the Mansion House. The event had considerable support from the Irish Parliament, and Irish government departments, such as the Department of Health. The speakers included Deputy Liz McManus who spoke on the health crisis in the Middle East, Henry O'Connor from the EU, and East Timor rights campaigner, Tom Hyland. The programme was organised by Prof Terry Duffy. The event opened with the reading of the UN Secretary-General's WHD Message, followed by further supporting messages which included letters of congratulation from Brian Lenihan, Irish Minister for Children, the European Commissioner for Human Rights and a special message of support from the WHO.

In recognition of the importance of this year's theme of 'creating healthy environments for children' the event included the contributions of five children- the group leaders from secondary school classes who had participated on a model Irish parliamentary debate on health issues. The considerable success of the meeting in the Mansion House was emphasised in the feed-back from delegates and the press, which particularly noted the importance of this event in view of the significance of its association with the Lord Mayor's Office and with the Irish parliamentary community.

From the diverse range of international and regional specialists (UN staff, Red Cross officials, medical practitioners, diplomats and NGO workers) it was apparent from this meeting that a new sense of international co-operation was badly needed. The papers ranged across such issues as the Irish government's national children's office, women's health issues, refugee health, EU health programmes and across case-studies of health issues with respect to Africa, the Palestinian Authority, Taiwan, and East Tinor. From Africa to the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region- health problems know no boundaries- and it was obvious from this meeting that the case for joint effort via the WHO and other international mechanisms was well made. The speakers and audience pointed to the emergence of Severe Acute Respiritory Syndrome (SARS) as a new health concern whicb pointed to the importance of international co-operation. It was felt that the meeting was a remarkable success in focusing attention on the importance of WHD.

More information:

Terence Duffy
Organiser: Dublin Seminar
Tel 0044 71 375223
iuna@ireland.com