Doctors first started to speak out about the health impact of nuclear weapons way back in 1980; the BMA published The Medical Effects of Nuclear weapons in 1983 and it was in 1985 that International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its work in publicising what nuclear weapons do to people. Now here we are 30 years later with more countries possessing these “aweful” weapons than ever before – nine at least, including Israel, and several more on the want-to-be list. more…

Five strong women addressed the packed chamber at the Palace of Westminster, perhaps illustrating the predominance of women in the children’ sector. The subject was the launch of the 2012 state of children’s rights in England by the Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE). The report is a scorching condemnation of the government’s lack of whole hearted support for children’s rights, and the continuing failure to implement UN recommendations: many of which relate directly to health. more…

She was a mature 16 and could be taken for an adult. Indeed it was with the words of an adult that she expressed the fears, anxiety, and stress she felt when she came to UK at the age of 11 as an asylum seeker from Pakistan. Fears, as she was not treated with consideration; anxiety, as she didn’t understand the language; and stress, as she had to be responsible for her physically disabled mother in running the household over the first years in the UK. Speaking in front of MPs and a peer in a committee room in the House of Commons earlier this month, she was nervous and hesitant, but as the gentle questioning and respectful comments continued she visibly grew in confidence. more…

On the night that a silent movie won best film award at the Oscars I felt transported back to the very same era in Moscow. Stalinesque buildings, elegant cathedral-like metro system, and fur coats to keep off the bitter cold. But at the national paediatric meeting attended by 3000 from across this huge country, the talk was of innovation, new technology, and quality of life measures which were bang up to date. more…

In Ramallah in January, the talk is only of delight over the much needed heavy rain, even though it comes with biting cold and a strong mountain wind. For British visitors leaving  the warmest autumn in decades it is a shock and in the auditorium for the graduation even the speakers wore overcoat and gloves. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health delegation, accompanying the president professor Terence Stephenson for the ceremony to confer certificates for the diploma in Palestinian child health, shivered, but the warm welcome together with the presence of British government and WHO representatives and the University President at the graduation, made up for the cold outside. This is the third graduation to be attended by the President and each speaker, together with the students themselves, expressed their deep appreciation for the work of the College over the past decade in bringing the course to fruition. Now the work continues as the ownership of the teaching is handed over to the Palestinians themselves. more…

The Arab revolution was in our minds during our regular visit to the West Bank for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) child health teaching programme. Would there be an occupied square in Ramallah? Would the youth be on the streets calling for political change? Would the doctors be out bravely supporting  demonstrators?  What would be the effect on the peace process? more…

Istanbul by train sounds a long way, but it offers a much lower carbon footprint than flying and was also a richer experience. Not quite the Orient Express, and the slow trundle through the Romanian countryside seemed interminable, but allowed plenty of reading time. And there were a few interesting encounters – which doesn’t happen when travelling by plane. more…

Being a member of a Nobel peace prize-winning organisation confers pride but not necessarily a sense of direction. Both were overwhelmingly present at the 19th Congress of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War in Basel, which was attended by a record number of doctors and medical students from North and South America, Europe, the Middle and Far East, and Australasia. more…

At a time when the news coming out from Gaza is deeply depressing, it is good to report some entirely positive developments in relation to paediatric teaching.

Ten years ago, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health tried to establish its teaching programme in the occupied Palestinian territories. This was due to commence in Gaza in 2001, as at that time, the Minister of Health was based there and all the planning meetings took place in Gaza city (at that time not the subject of an embargo by Israel). For many reasons the teaching programme did not commence until 2006, and by then access to Gaza was becoming very difficult. The course is going very well in the West Bank, and thirty students have so far graduated with a Diploma of the RCPCH in Palestinian Child Health. more…

Connecting four countries by video on a Friday afternoon could be an exercise in technological disaster

But with obstetricians, midwives, and paediatricians present at the delivery, a safe and healthy passage was guaranteed, and indeed all went smoothly at the first global conference on climate change and maternal and child health held at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG),  in London. more…