World experts gather at infant nutrition conference

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has hosted an international conference in collaboration with its Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit (MAINN) in the School of Health.

The conference, Nutrition and Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Bio-Cultural Perspectives, now in its third year, was held in Grange Over Sands in Cumbria between the 8th and 10th June. The event was attended by over 100 delegates from around the world, including Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Israel, New Zealand, and Thailand. Representatives in attendance included anthropologists, midwives, neonatologists, nutritionists, nurses, paediatricians and social scientists.

Conference organiser, Fiona Dykes who is Professor of Maternal and Infant Health, and leads the Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit at UCLan, said:

“This year’s conference focussed on the global challenges to securing optimum infant and young child nutrition. Political, economic and cultural challenges were illuminated and practical and research-based initiatives to improve the situation were also presented. We were very excited to have had the opportunity to gather together international experts in the field of maternal and child nutrition from all over the world."

Day two of the conference saw a keynote speech from Professor Muktiar Zaman, Chief Executive of the Abaseen Foundation and an expert in the field of management of acute malnutrition in conflict, flood and poverty stricken communities in Pakistan. For over 10 years UCLan has worked in collaboration with the Abaseen Foundation, the Lancashire and Pakistani-based charity set up to create effective healthcare and education programmes in a non-functioning and ill-equipped government hospital in North West Pakistan, serving a population of 200,000 people.

Dr. Nicola Lowe, Reader in Nutritional Science at UCLan, commented:

"It is a privilege for us at UCLan to be working with the Abaseen Foundation. What the nutrition team achieve in this region of Pakistan is outstanding, especially against the backdrop of the political situation and the recent flood disaster. They have made a real difference to the lives of many people living in poverty in rural communities. It is a real tribute to the personal dedication and commitment all those involved, with and supporting the Foundation, both in the UK and in Pakistan."

Since taking control of the struggling Nahaqi Hospital, the Foundation has overseen its transformation into a fully-functioning and modern healthcare facility, held up as a model for good practice and receiving praise from the World Health Organisation and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North West Frontier Province Government). In December the Abaseen Foundation initiative won the ‘International Collaboration of the Year 2010’ at the Times Higher Education awards.