First 1 000 Days in the Spotlight at Erongo Maternity and Newborn Symposium

The importance of the first 1 000 days of a child’s life, from conception to the age of two, took centre stage at the 7th Annual Erongo Maternity and Newborn Symposium held in Swakopmund on Friday, where healthcare professionals from across the region gathered to strengthen maternal and child healthcare.

The symposium also marked the launch of a locally developed mother and baby booklet aimed at improving continuity of care for families. Welcoming delegates, Paediatrician Dr Sebastian Gericke said the symposium recognises the role every healthcare professional plays in ensuring positive outcomes for mothers and babies, from reception staff and nurses to therapists and laboratory personnel. He stressed that the first 1 000 days represent the most critical period in a child’s development, with maternal health, pregnancy, birth, nutrition, screening and early childhood development all influencing lifelong health outcomes.