Services for the benefit of children should always be given priority regardless of the economic climate of a country. The prime minister in his address to the nation stated that vulnerable families and children would not be neglected during these challenging times.
The economic recession demands that we think outside the box to find innovative ways of providing and improving services with the same resources. The times demand that we find ways to work together and to pool resources.
According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA, developmental problems in children affect about 15 per cent of the pediatric population. The figures may be similar or even more here in T&T. Developmental problems and disability require multidisciplinary services through various ministries including, education, health, social development and office of gender and child development. In difficult times, resources both human and financial, can be pooled towards providing stronger supports for special needs children.
An example would the lack of very basic public services like speech and occupational therapy; funding may come from different ministries like health, education, social development etc, for the same child. If financial resources from various ministries are pooled into one fund for therapies then more children would benefit and access to therapies would be easier.
In fact, if resources are pooled and therapists salaries are made more attractive then public services could be established and far more patients seen for a fraction of the cost that it requires to outsource to private therapists. This approach, however, requires communication and working together amongst ministries so that we can maximise the outcome from the resources that we have.
Let’s consider childhood obesity which is about 20 to 30 per cent here in T&T and climbing. The immediate and long term risks from non communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke etc, are a huge financial burden to economies worldwide.
Again, in a recession we need to look at how ministries can pool resources and work together. Emphasis on primary health care and prevention is the key and health, education, gender and child development all have a roles to play. The times demand that we work together.
Another major area is children protection which includes managing child abuse as well as having a preventative approach and recognising children at risk and providing supports. This area demands communication and collaboration amongst various ministries and the children’s authority so that resources can be pooled towards a more unified approach. Again, health, education, gender and child development, social development etc, all have key roles to play.
The challenging economic climate demands that we think and act to pool resources and genuinely work together in various ministries to provide solid and sustainable services for all our children.
Dr P Bahadursingh,
Consultant Community
Paediatrician SWRHA