CHAMPS not only generates data on child mortality, but we also share our findings to empower prevention strategies. Our team members frequently share CHAMPS data and lessons learned with the wider global health community through international conferences and forums.

In the last few months, CHAMPS scientists presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, European Society For Paediatric Infectious Diseases, and the Second Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia.

Left to right: CHAMPS Global Partners Board Chair, Dr. Cyril Engmann, pictured with CHAMPS Pediatric Research Scientist, Dr. Chris A. Rees at the PAS2023 Meeting

Dr. Chris A. Rees presenting CHAMPS data at the PAS 2023 Meeting

In April, our Pediatric Research Scientist Chris A. Rees represented CHAMPS at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2023 Meeting. PAS meeting is an international gathering of physician-scientists, clinicians, and educators working in the field of pediatric care. Chris gave an insightful presentation on improving the children’s clinic care guidelines adherence and diagnostics. CHAMPS was also represented at PAS by our new Global Partners Board Chair, Dr. Cyril Engmann, who was also in attendance.

Left to right: Dr. Quique Bassat, CHAMPS Co-Principal Investigator for the Mozambique site moderates a panel discussion with panelists: Dr. Sana Mahtab, Program Manager for the CHAMPS South Africa site; Dr. Ima-Abasi Bassey, lead pathologist for ICAP in Sierra Leone; Dr. Nega Assefa Kassa; CHAMPS Ethiopia Site Director at the 2nd Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia

Also, in April, CHAMPS was well represented at the 2nd Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia held at the CaixaForum in Madrid. Dr. Quique Bassat, CHAMPS Co-Principal Investigator for the Mozambique site, moderated a scientific session entitled, “CHAMPS: the revolution in understanding the causes of child death.” Speakers for this session were Dr. Sana Mahtab from the South Africa site, Dr. Ima-Abasi Bassey, Lead Pathologist from the Sierra Leone site, and Dr. Nega Assefa, Site Director from the Ethiopia site.

The speakers addressed the complex interacting causes leading to child deaths in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. The speakers presented results from their respective countries (Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa). They discussed these results’ implications on child health policies and programs within the nations and their impacts on global health agencies and donors.

Earlier this May, CHAMPS scientists from the Mozambique and South Africa sites participated in the knowledge sharing at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) held in Lisbon. The ESPID 2023 meeting was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from May 8th-12th. ESPID is a platform for researchers and clinicians in pediatric infectious diseases to share their research and advancements in the field.

Left to right: Dr. Sana Mahtab, Program Manager for the CHAMPS South Africa site, and Dr. Quique Bassat, CHAMPS Co-Principal Investigator for the Mozambique site at ESPID 2023

Dr. Shabir Madhi, the South Africa Site Director, chaired a plenary symposium on how best to protect children and gave a presentation titled “Insights on the Recent RSV Epidemiology in Children.” Dr. Mahtab presented on the neonatal infections from Group B Streptococcus. From the Mozambique site, Pediatrician PhD Fellow, David Torres presented CHAMPS data on malaria during the ESPID Research Masterclass and won the award for best presentation.

David Torres, Pediatrician, PhD Fellow presenting CHAMPS research at ESPID 2023

Congratulations to all members of the CHAMPS network who continue to represent our work and share findings to improve understanding of child mortality to save children’s lives.