Leaving No Country Behind: Moving Beyond Awareness to Action to Save Babies
3rd – 6th November 2024 | Hilton Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka
The 19th Annual International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA) Conference brought together a global community of healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and bereaved parents with a shared mission: to prevent stillbirths and support affected families. Hosted in the vibrant city of Colombo, Sri Lanka, this year’s conference was organised in collaboration with the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, building upon nearly two decades of impactful dialogue and action.
Key Highlights
Opening Plenary: The conference’s inaugural session highlighted the alarming reality of 1.9 million stillbirths annually. Global experts shared programmatic interventions, socio-economic perspectives, and Sri Lanka’s local successes, setting the stage for meaningful discussions.
Workshops and Symposia:
- The pre-congress IMPROVE Workshop equipped healthcare providers with essential skills for perinatal mortality reviews, emphasising culturally sensitive care.
- Cutting-edge symposia topics included maternal mental health, artificial intelligence in stillbirth prevention, and regional successes in reducing neonatal mortality.
Keynote Address: Professor Katsufumi Otsuki from Japan delivered an inspiring address on leveraging innovative clinical practices and collaborative strategies to reduce stillbirths.
Colombo Declaration on Stillbirths
A significant milestone of the conference was the launch of the Colombo Declaration on Stillbirths. This comprehensive document outlines actionable strategies, including:
- Strengthening health systems for integrated, quality care.
- Improving bereavement care.
- Harnessing technology such as artificial intelligence.
- Setting measurable national and global goals.
This declaration signifies the collective commitment of 265 participants from 24 countries to achieve meaningful reductions in stillbirths.
A Platform for Collaboration
The conference emphasised the importance of partnerships with global organisations such as WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Gates Foundation. These collaborations highlighted a multidisciplinary approach to addressing stillbirths, with local entities such as the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka playing a pivotal role in regional successes.
Memorial Service
A poignant memorial service at Independence Square provided a reflective space for honouring the babies lost to stillbirths. Guided by religious leaders from diverse faiths, the event underscored the shared humanity and hope that drives the global fight against stillbirths.
Looking Ahead
As the conference concluded, participants departed with a renewed commitment to actionable strategies for stillbirth prevention. The exchange of ideas, success stories, and innovative approaches will undoubtedly shape the global agenda, ensuring that every baby’s life is valued and every family receives compassionate care.
Join Us in This Mission: Let us unite in this effort to ensure no baby’s death goes uncounted or unacknowledged. Together, we can pave the way for a future where every baby thrives and every family is supported.
For more details, visit our website or contact the International Stillbirth Alliance team. Your support and engagement are vital as we continue this journey of awareness, advocacy, and action.