ICBD 2020 calls to Accelerate Efforts for Birth Defects Prevention and Care

The 9th International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World (ICBD) was held at the
Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo Sri Lanka from February 23-26, 2020 (Photo @SLMAonline)

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – With the theme, “Health for All: Accelerate Efforts for Birth Defects Prevention and Care”, the 9th International Conference for Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World (ICBD) aligned with the third Sustainable Development Goal which aims to ensure health for all. The four-day conference-workshop held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka last February 23-26, 2020 gathered 400 experts, health professionals and advocates from 36 countries. 

Organized by the March of Dimes, the Sri Lanka Medical Association, the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka, and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), the 9th ICBD featured two pre-conference workshops, nine plenary sessions, and fifteen simultaneous sessions of oral presentations. A total of 59 poster presentations were also included in the conference which covered the surveillance of birth defects, public health policy, health care systems and strategies to ensure prevention, and improving care for persons with birth defects. The two pre-conference workshops that were held prior to the ceremonial opening of the conference centered on birth defects surveillance data and advocacy, and the development of targeted genomic education. 

Participants of the Birth Defects Surveillance Workshop were guided on preparing a communication plan on advocating for birth defects awareness and surveillance (Photos: @SLMAonline @WorldBDdayPHL)

On the night of February 23, the conference formally opened with the ceremonial procession and lighting of the oil lamp, as part of Sri Lankan tradition. Welcome remarks were given by the conference chairs, World Health Organization (WHO) - South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) Senior Adviser Dr. Neena Raina and the president of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Indika Karunathilake. The Sri Lankan Minister of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, Women and Child Affairs, and Social Security Mrs. Pavithra Wanniarachchi graced the event as the guest of honor. On the other hand, Prof. Arnold Christianson gave the keynote address wherein he presented a historical account and the continuing need for services for people with congenital disorders in low and middle income nations. Various traditional dances of the host country entertained guests throughout the opening program. 

Ceremonial lighting of the oil lamp marks the opening of the 9th ICBD (Photo @SLMAonline)

From February 24 to 26, various plenary and simultaneous sessions became the avenue for the sharing of research outputs, programs and strategies in birth defects surveillance, prevention and care. Specific plenary sessions were also dedicated to human rights and inclusion of people with birth defects, premature birth, digital health standards and interventions, and the role of community and parent organizations. 

March of Dimes Vice President for Global Programs
Dr. Salimah Walani on the podium for the SDG talk

One of the plenary sessions focused on linking birth defects with the Sustainable Development Goals. In the session, Dr. Nathalie Roos (WHO), Dr. Salimah Wallani (March of Dimes, USA), and Dr. Vijaya Kancherla (USA) conducted a live online poll among the conference participants on their perception about birth defects and its relation to the SDGs, and discussed the results of their literature search on the topic. 

Local and international participants were entertained in a night of music and dance at the conference dinner and beach party held on February 25 at Mount Lavenia Hotel, Sri Lanka. 

Philippines participates to ICBD 2020

UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Carmencita Padilla
(Photo @SLMAonline)

The Philippine delegation to ICBD2020 was headed by University of the Philippines Manila Chancellor Dr. Carmencita Padilla who was invited to give a plenary presentation on advocating for neonatal newborn screening programs. In her talk, Dr. Padilla highlighted some of the challenges that are needed to be addressed in the establishment of neonatal screening in a developing healthcare system. She concluded with the lessons she learned from the father of newborn screening, Dr. Robert Guthrie. Dr. Padilla noted that developing countries should learn from other countries with established programs, thus avoiding the same mistakes. Lastly, newborn screening program planners and proponents should never give up despite the obstacles that they will encounter.  

Dr. Padilla also gave a presentation on the implementation of the Wellness in the Workplace Project in the Philippines as part of the session on life course approaches and programs.  In her talk, Dr. Padilla presented an update on the preconception health and wellness program initially implemented among workers in a textile factory and the office setting. For the second phase of the program, Padilla revealed that initial work has been done in utilizing e-learning access of the learning modules through a partnership of the Institute of Human Genetics, NIH-UP Manila and the UP Open University. A panel of experts composed of doctors from various specialties has also been formed for the review and improvement of the learning modules. The Wellness in the Workplace Project is part of global collaboration under the March of Dimes. The implementation of the project in Lebanon was also presented in the same session.

There were also two oral presentations from the Philippines that were included in the symposium on engaging civil society in preconception care. Dr. Padilla, as the National Program and Founding Adviser of Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines, presented the various strategies in engaging the youth in preconception care that were implemented by the youth network. These strategies included national social media campaigns, community youth formations, and the conduct of a youth-led community-based preconception health campaign. The community-based campaign was also presented in a poster presentation by NCR-South Luzon Coordinator Jeanne Ruth Basas on behalf of Team Proactive Kabilin. The poster highlighted the pioneering work done by VYLH-Philippines and its partners on implementing a youth-led community-based preconception health awareness campaign in Los Baños, Laguna. 

Speakers and moderators of the Simultaneous Session on Engaging Civil Society in Preconception Care 

In a separate talk on the same simultaneous session, VYLH-Philippines National President Mr. Rufus Thomas Adducul shared some lessons and challenges encountered in a youth volunteer program for health. Adducul noted that youth-led volunteer programs have an advantage as they know the needs of the youth. Volunteer programs should also use diversity among its members to its advantage. Likewise, volunteer groups should strive in building their brand and identity. In terms of addressing challenges, Adducul mentioned the use of social media in connecting youth leaders across the archipelago, sustaining the commitment and participation of youth leaders, as well as addressing the financial needs of the network through partnership building. Beyond their passion and commitment, he also stressed that the “youth cannot do it alone”, as support from public and private sector are necessary in enabling youth leaders in fulfilling their role in nation building.   

On the other hand, the second poster of the delegation focused on the integration of rare diseases in the Philippine public health delivery system through legislation. Although it spanned for years, the efforts for a rare disease legislation succeeded with the enactment of RA 10747 or the Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines on March 2016.

Colombo Declaration

The conference concluded with the plenary session on the voice of the community and patient organizations, and the presentation of the Colombo Declaration on Birth Defects Care and Prevention. The declaration primarily requests the World Health Organization (WHO) to revisit the implementation of the 63rd World Health Assembly Resolution on Birth Defects, as well as to reinvigorate global efforts to prioritize birth defects prevention and care in the global health agenda. It further calls upon governments, international development partners, funders, as well as the WHO to dedicate support and resources to 14 measures that can help in accelerating efforts towards birth defects care and prevention in order to achieve “Health for All”.

Presentation of the Colombo Declaration on Birth Defects Care and Prevention at ICBD 2020

The activities recommended by the declaration supported by 20 local and international organizations include establishing systems for the collection of quality data on birth defects, developing national policies and programs for birth defects care and prevention, ensuring health care policy and practice is based on current scientific evidence, ensuring the continuation of services from pediatric to adult life for individuals among birth defects, and providing training to health care workers including genetic and genomic education. The declaration also endorses educating the public on improving birth outcomes through traditional and social media modalities, engaging civil society and patient organizations, as well as implementing programs to eliminate stigma and discrimination against persons with birth defects and disabilities.

During the closing program, a copy of the declaration was presented by the ICBD conference chairs to Mrs. Shiranti Rajapaksa, the wife of Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister. In an update from the Sri Lanka Medical Association (@SLMAonline), the conference organizers also presented the declaration to the Sri Lankan Health Minister, Director General of Health Services, and the WHO Country Representative in Sri Lanka as part of their observance of World Birth Defects Day.

In the closing ceremonies of the 9th ICBD, children with birth defects and disabilities performed on stage. Afterwards, international participants of ICBD 2020 were invited for a tour to “Ayati”, the National Center for Children with Disabilities in the University of Kelaniya as a post-conference activity.

The ICBD is a biennial conference which aims to provide a platform in building the capacity of lower-income countries for the prevention of birth defects and preterm births, and care of people living with birth defects. Previous editions of the ICBD were held in South Africa (2001), China (2005), Brazil (2007), India (2009), Poland (2011), Philippines (2013), Tanzania (2015) and Colombia (2017).#

Download the Colombo Declaration on Birth Defects Care and Prevention

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Written by RPascual (Pioneer, Cavite)
Edited by TGuioguio (K4, Davao City)