International discussion „Child and youth health care initiatives“

On 26-27 June 2013 an international discussion “Child and youth health care initiatives” was held in Birštonas. The discussion was arranged in the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 Programme “Public Health Initiatives” and in order to discuss health care problems of children and young people in Lithuania, also, to learn more about the experience of other countries.

Foreign experts from Norway, Switzerland and Portugal, also, representatives from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, Institute of Hygiene, Health Training and Disease Prevention Centre, local government administrations, public health bureaus and other institutions, local government doctors and other public health specialists working in the areas of health improvement and disease prevention took part in the event organized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania.

Discussion participants were amicably welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Birštonas Municipality Mr. J. Aleksandravičius, allowing everyone to celebrate achievements of Birštonas together.

The key Programme objectives and planned projects were introduced during the event, also, presentations were made on health care in pre-school and general education institutions, activities of public health bureaus and business prospects thereof in the provision of health care services in schools, monitoring of health of children and young people, youth-friendly health care services provided in Lithuania and foreign countries. Presentations were made by speakers from Norway, Switzerland, Portugal and Lithuania (representatives from public health bureaus, youth centres).

After listening to presentations, event participants actively participated in working groups, discussing topics relevant and sensitive to Lithuania about youth-friendly health care services, health care in pre-school and general education institutions, and the development of child health information system. It was great seeing foreign experts actively involved in working group discussions together with specialists from Lithuania. The existing problems were presented in the discussions; participants proposed possible methods for solving them and shared the best practices. When comparing similar problems in Lithuania, Norway, Switzerland and Portugal, a number of touch points were identified, and various possible methods for solving these issues were discussed, at the same time discussing possibilities for the take-over and adaptation of best practices in Lithuania. The outcome of cooperation in working groups was a prepared joint report the information of which will be used and experience gained will be applied in the implementation of the Programme projects.

Presentations made in the international discussion:

Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 Programme No. LT11 "Public Health Initiatives": objectives and projects (available only in lithuanian). Virginija Ambrazevičienė,Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania

Health care in pre-school and general education institutions(available only in lithuanian). PhD Rita Sketerskienė, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania

Bureaus activities and prospects thereof in the provision of health care services in schools (available only in lithuanian).Danguolė Avižiuvienė, Kėdainiai district municipality public health bureau, Public health bureau association

Child and youth health monitoring in Lithuania(available only in lithuanian). Šarūnas Alasauskas, Institute of Hygiene

Children and youth health care in Oslo. Youth healthcare service: practice and experience in Oslo (available in english). Ann Louise Gustafsson, Inger Lise Wilhelmsen, Oslo kommune Bydel Gamle Oslo

Youth friendly educational and health services in Portugal: from research to practice(available in english).PhD Margarida Gaspar de Matos, Lisbon University

Youth friendly health care services in Switzerland: practice and experience (available in english). PhD Joan-Carles Suris, Lausanne University Hospital

Arrangement of health care services for children and young people in Lithuania(available only in lithuanian). Dr. Audronė Astrauskienė, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania

Health care services necessary for young people(available only in lithuanian). Dr. Marija Veniūtė, Vilnius university

Youth friendly health care services - Lithuanian experience (available only in lithuanian).Lina Jaruševičienė, Lithuanian university of health sciences