Working Together to Improve the Health of Babies and Young People

Cambodian Launch of International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA:  The Children's Hospital at Westmead and The Ministry of Health, Cambodia will today celebrate the National Launch of The International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate, a post-graduate course in paediatrics for doctors, jointly awarded by The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the Coppleson Committee of Continuing Medical Education at The University of Sydney.

The governments of Australia and Cambodia have been working tirelessly to improve the health of their children and young people for many years.

The launch on the 11^th February of the International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate represents the newest phase of this collaboration. This launch would not be possible without the close working relationship between the Cambodian Ministry of Health - represented by H.E. Professor Eng Huot and the Australian Government - represented at today's launch by Ambassador Margaret Adamson.

Also to be acknowledged is the important role of Professor Chhour Y Meng, Director of the National Paediatric Hospital whose support has been a catalyst for this event.

The launch of the International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate in Cambodia is a day of special importance to the children and young people of Cambodia. The International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate aims to improve the health of children and young people by increasing the knowledge, confidence and skills of doctors who treat them. This program provides an evidence-based comprehensive overview of current best practice in paediatrics for those who treat children and young people. It fulfils the aim of Dr Antonio Penna, CEO of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, "To Share Global Best Practice in Child Health Care and Development".

"This course is unique internationally and aims to improve the health of children by enhancing the knowledge, confidence and skills of doctors who work in the frontline of child health globally."

"The Children's Hospital at Westmead is very excited to be entering this new phase of collaboration and training with Cambodian Ministry of Health and Health Professionals in Cambodia. We look forward to working together in the years to come, as we strive to achieve the very best in paediatric care for all children," said Dr Penna.

The IPPC is jointly awarded by The Coppleson Committee of Continuing Medical Education of the University of Sydney, chaired by Associate Professor Simon Willcock and The Children's Hospital at Westmead. The University of Sydney is represented today by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Bruce Robinson; and The Children's Hospital at Westmead is represented by Wendy Haigh, Director of Corporate Services. It represents an effective partnership in postgraduate paediatric education. This partnership has been in existence long before the Diploma in Child Health began in 1992 and continues a tradition of excellence in postgraduate paediatric education. The core of this postgraduate course is expertise provided by lecturers from both institutions and it is gratefully acknowledged.

The success in Cambodia of the Diploma in Child Health, the fore-runner of the International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate, since its commencement at Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in 2006, has provided the momentum for this program to be taken up in other countries including the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, China, Vietnam and India.

The ability, dedication and commitment of doctors in Cambodia in achieving success in an international course will continue to improve the health of children and young people in Cambodia, as well as continuing to influence other doctors and health care professionals to follow their lead. Already the Ministries of Health of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have followed Cambodia by requesting a roll-out of the International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate to all of their doctors.

The intention is from today, in a gradual measured way, to make it possible for every suitably qualified person in Cambodia to gain access to this material and thereafter continue their own life-long learning in paediatrics, teaching others, encouraging the opportunity for others to learn and helping children, young people and their families to build a healthier future.

About The Children's Hospital at Westmead

The Children's Hospital at Westmead is the largest paediatric centre in NSW, providing the most advanced care and treatment options for children from NSW, Australia and across the Pacific Rim. 

Established in 1880, The Children's Hospital at Westmead is a stand-alone public Hospital and registered charity with 3,000 staff working in 150 departments. Over 60,000 sick children and their families are cared for each year in a family-focused, healing environment.

Funded by the NSW Government, The Children's Hospital at Westmead provides significant enhancements to services aided by the generosity of individual and corporate donors.  For more information visit http://www.chw.edu.au/

Media contact: PR Officer, Natalie Peck: (02) 9845 3580 or natalip6@chw.edu.au

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