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International cooperation in neonatal screening: technical training course for newborn and infant screening
M Fukushi1, J Hanai, A Yamaguchi
1Sapporo City Institute of Public Health, Sapporo, Japan.
Insights
This training course equipped healthcare professionals from developing nations with essential neonatal screening skills. The program successfully enabled participants to implement screening for conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU) and congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in their home countries.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Medical Training
Background:
- Neonatal screening is crucial for early detection of congenital disorders.
- Developing countries often lack established neonatal screening programs.
- International collaboration is vital for knowledge and skill transfer in healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on a training course for healthcare professionals in neonatal screening.
- To enhance technical skills and understanding of neonatal screening principles.
- To facilitate the establishment of neonatal screening systems in developing countries.
Main Methods:
- A 3-month training program offered by Sapporo City Institute of Public Health (SCIPH) under JICA.
- Curriculum included lectures and lab practice on phenylketonuria (PKU), congenital hypothyroidism (CH), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and neuroblastoma.
- Training targeted healthcare professionals, including pediatricians, gynecologists, and biochemists.
Main Results:
- 67 participants from 25 countries completed the training by March 1998.
- 11 participants initiated neonatal screening programs upon returning to their countries.
- Screening for PKU and CH was successfully established in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Thailand.
Conclusions:
- The training program effectively enhanced participants' capacity to implement neonatal screening.
- The initiative successfully contributed to establishing and expanding neonatal screening systems globally.
- Ongoing support and consultation foster a sustainable international cooperation network for neonatal screening.
Abstract:
We report the outline and results of our experience with a group training course of neonatal screening for health care professionals in developing countries. Sapporo City Institute of Public Health (SCIPH) has been offered a training course on neonatal screening once a year since 1991 under the Technical Training Program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The aims of this training course are to enhance the participants' technical knowledge and skills, and also to deepen their understanding of the principle of neonatal screening as well as the relevant diseases. Lectures and laboratory practice on phenylketonuria (PKU), congenital hypothyroidism (CH), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and neuroblastoma are included in the 3-month program. After the completion of the training, participants are expected to play a major role in establishing and expanding neonatal screening system in each of their countries. We have received a total of 67 participants from 25 countries until March 1998: 58 pediatricians; 2 gynecologists; 6 biochemists; 1 administrative officer. After they returned to their countries, 11 engaged in neonatal screening and started PKU and CH screening in their institute, city or province in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Thailand. We believe that these results fulfilled our objectives. Also, for follow-up, SCIPH has been giving information and consultation to the participants on requests. This international cooperation network could also benefit our present network of the International Society Screening in the future.