@MATES4Kids side event at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States

On Thursday 30 May 2024 (23:00 UTC), CLAN (Caring & Living As Neighbours), @MATES4Kids (Maximising Access To Essential Supplies for Children) , representatives from Lehigh University, International Society for Neonatal Screening (ISNS) and global changemakers will be co-hosting a side event at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).

The overarching theme of the SIDS4 Conference is “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity.” The title of CLAN’s side event will be: “Investing in Tomorrow: Strengthening Newborn Screening for Resilient and Prosperous Futures in Small Island Developing States.”

The aim of this conference is to assess the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. Structured around five thematic interactive dialogues, the conference seeks to tackle both current and future challenges and opportunities in SIDS sustainable development. The five dialogues are:

1. Making Climate Finance Work for SIDS: Building on the Outcomes of UNFCCC COP 28
2. Enhancing Critical Forms of Financing and Aid Effectiveness Through Collaborative Partnerships: A Conversation
3. Levering Data and Digital Technologies and Building Effective Institutions for a Resilient Future in SIDS
4. Investing in Human Capital: Addressing Health Crisis in SIDS and Building the Potential of Youth in SIDS
5. Revitalizing SIDS Economies for Accelerated and Sustainable Growth

The CLAN team will focus on the fourth thematic interactive dialogue as it is integral to @MATES4Kids’ objective of scaling newborn screening (NBS), and optimising health outcomes for children and their families coping with chronic health conditions in resource-poor settings. Universal access to NBS will be crucial to reducing preventable morbidity and mortality, and empowering children with congenital conditions that can be screened for to enjoy a quality of life comparable to their counterparts in more wealthy nations. 

The side event will feature speakers from various SIDS who will share their experiences, insights and recommendations for change. The event will showcase achievements in progressing NBS globally and the importance of scaling NBS to redress inequities and improve child health outcomes. 

CLAN is unwaveringly grateful for the support of all @MATES4Kids participants and their dedication to collaborative efforts in reducing preventable mortality linked with CAH by 30% by 2030! We look forward to continuing to work together as we journey towards 2030. Let’s strive to make newborn screening accessible to #EVERYchild and #LeaveNoChildBehind.

Please join our event and be part of this movement for change!