(30 June 2016) The objectives of two collaboration projects led by Giovanni Montini, owner of General and Specialised Pediatrics is to create the first pediatric nephrology and urology service and to reduce high infant mortality in Emergency Rooms of Nicaragua, the largest and poorest country in Central America, with a population of six million inhabitants half of which are children. The project was funded in 2014 by Giuliana and Bernardo Caprotti from the University of Milan’s Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health. The project is supported by ABN (Pediatric Kidney Patient Association) and Fabio Sereni, professor emeritus. Working ‘in the field’ are Alberto Edefonti, former director of Pediatric Nephrology of the Polyclinic Hospital and Liviana Da Dalt and Silvia Bressan from the University of Pavia on the emergency and urgent care aspect. According to a statement from the University, “the two projects are aimed at ensuring better child care in Nicaragua, focusing on staff training on-site and in Italy, the implementation of specialised hospital services in an outdated health care system dating back to the seventies, and instruments for monitoring clinical results useful to the implementation of a national health service.” A new specialised department for pediatric kidney patients was created thanks to the first project for implementing specialised assistance for nephrology and urological diseases, in the only pediatric hospital in Nicaragua connected to peripheral medical services in district hospitals in the country and a territorial network of social assistance for young patients from poor families with chronic kidney disease. The second project is concerned with assisting urgent pediatric patients and is intended to reduce mortality which is still very high, found in Emergency Room services in young patients with acute illness. (Red)
