ICNA-CNS/ Paediatric association of Zimbabwe - Child Neurology Symposium 2016

This meeting was organized by the International Child Neurology Association (ICNA) and the Child Neurology Society (CNS) in collaboration with the Paediatric association of Zimbabwe The Minister of health and Pediatric association of Zimbabwe fully supported the event. The association provided audiovisual equipment, food, in addition to accommodation for all speakers.

Local Situation: General Pediatricians manage multiple neurological conditions in the region. There is need for training modules on diagnosis and management of common and acute neurological disorders encountered in Pediatrics . Date of the event: September 15-17th, 2016

Location: Holiday Inn Hotel. Harare. Zimbabwe

Panel of speakers from ICNA-CNS

Dr. Jo Wilmshurst. Head of Pediatric Neurology at Red Cross Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa and current secretary of ICNA. Dr. Wilmshurst if the elected President ICNA. Dr. Kirsty Donald. Head, Pediatric Neurodevelopmental department. Red Cross Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Dr. Jeff Waugh. Director, Movement Disorder Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard School of Medicine, USA.

Dr. Jorge Vidaurre.Director, Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology Program and EEG laboratory at Nationwide Children’s Hospital-The Ohio State University, USA. Chair of the International Committee, CNS Panel of

Speakers from Zimbabwe.

Professor Rose Kambarami. Paediatric Association
President Brigadier Dr. Gerald Gwinji Minister of Health
Mrs. Cecilia Nleya Ministry of Education, Deputy Director Rehabilitation Services
Miss Gwazi Nyanungo. Ministry of Education, Director School Psychological Services
Mrs Kasu. Occupational therapy
Dr. Florence Muchirahondo. Psychiatry department
Dr. Gwen Kandawasuika. Meeting organizer. Pediatrics
Dr. Rabia Khan. Psychiatry
Mrs Flora Chinhaire. Director Autism Pathway
Dr. Dzuova. Neurosurgery

Organizing committee:

Dr. Gwen Kandawasuika (Zimbabwe)
Dr. Jo Wilmshurst (South Africa)

Total number of participants: 110

Audience: Pediatricians, Medical Students, occupational therapists.

Resources used for promotion of the meeting: Posters, e-mails, sms and whatsApp messages

Topics covered: Epilepsy and paroxysmal disorders: Febrile seizures Epidemiology of epilepsy and epilepsy in Zimbabwe Common epilepsy syndromes in pediatrics Non-epileptic paroxysmal events Epileptic encephalopathies Status epilepticus Developmental disorders, autism and pervasive developmental disorders in Zimbabwe Cerebral palsy HIV Neuroinfection Impact on neurocognitive outcomes.

Pediatric movement disorders: Practical approach to diagnosis and management of common movement disorders Tics Dyskinetic CP Conversion disorders Pediatric brain tumors Presentation of local clinical cases and government programs for children with disabilities.

Results:

1. Successful meeting focused on practical talks which can be useful for general practitioners.
2. Talks presented as scheduled. Appropriate time for questions-answers section.
3. Practical talks with active participation of audience
4. Support from Paediatric association of Zimbabwe (PAZ). Meals and transport provided by the association.