Systematization of screening examinations from birth, promised improvement of speech therapists or child psychologists, increase in the number of caregivers: the government presented, on Thursday, May 23, a supposedly “ambitious” plan regarding children’s health.
On the eve of the Pediatrics Conference, which was expected to respond to a historic crisis in the sector but postponed several times until 2023, the government presented its roadmap, made up of 16 measures and 80 “concrete” actions.
“A real turning point”
“It is the result of long work by a committee appointed in November 2022 after the triple epidemic (Covid, flu and bronchiolitis) that has put pressure on pediatric systems,” the ministers responsible for Health explained to AFP. Frédéric Valletoux, and the head of Children, Sarah El Haïry, who are carrying out this plan.
Another observation that dominated the Conference – which was preceded by 121 hearings and around 2,000 written contributions -: the deterioration of several indicators in recent years regarding infant mortality or the mental health of young people.
“Children’s health is a priority,” say those around the ministers, detailing this plan with an allocation of around 300 million euros per year until 2030, made up of new or existing credits.
This is “a real turning point in our attitude towards the health of young people,” said Frédéric Valletoux in a statement sent to AFP.
Mandatory exams
The government intends to emphasize “prevention”, with the desire to systematize the carrying out of the 20 mandatory exams for children. He wants to create a new mandatory exam at age 6 to detect possible neurodevelopmental, language or optical disorders.
It also plans to facilitate access to speech therapists, without the need to first visit a family doctor. Given the growing needs, it also plans to increase the number of training places from 10% from 2025 to +50% in 2030.
And it promises improvements for professionals who work in health facilities. A revaluation was also promised for child psychologists, whose number in medical-psychological centers (CMP) must increase in the face of alerts about the mental health of young people.
In neonatology, also in crisis, the objective is to reach 1 bed for every 1,000 births throughout the territory.
The Government also insists on the need to improve access to care for child victims of violence, offering free mental health examinations or psychomotor examinations.
Source: BFM TV
