Mediterranean pediatrics forum meets in Marrakech in May

The 8th Mediterranean pediatrics forum (Transmed 2000) will be held next May 4-7 in Marrakech.

The meeting, which will be attended by more than 1,200 physicians from various specialties from several countries, seeks to promote scientific exchanges in the medical field between European and Mediterranean countries.

Organizers noted the absence of private pediatric clinics in 21 Moroccan provinces. Public sector pediatrics clinics are only found in eight of these provinces.

There is one private pediatrician for 83,000 children and one public pediatrician for 33,000 children. Morocco has renowned pediatricians and gynecologists, but they are concentrated in Casablanca-Rabat region.

Nearly 80% of deliveries in the rural area are carried out by midwives. 228 cases of women's death were recorded out of 100,000 deliveries in 1997.

The forum, which features workshops and round tables,

will examine a number of themes such as breast cancer, ovary tumors, infertility, respiratory infections, infant nutrition and future of pediatrics.