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The children's hospital department in the Sputnik microdistrict, Penza was visited by representatives of the XIX All–Russian Congress of Commissioners for Children's Rights, which took place on October 4-5 in Penza. The main theme of the Congress was the protection of the rights of children with disabilities.
The forum's two–day program involved visiting several social and medical facilities.
"Currently, there are a number of unfavourable trends in children's health, which are reflected in the disabilities in children," says Marina Vorobyeva, Head of the Department of Medical Care for Children and Maternity Services of the Ministry of Health of the Penza Oblast. "Consequently, social and medical problems of children with disabilities are also increasing, which must be addressed."
Disabled children represent a large risk group in terms of the development of socio-psychological maladaptation both due to illness and due to social isolation caused by the limitations.
Of course, such children, as a category of citizens with special needs, have the right to receive various services of free medical care and, first of all, unhindered access to social institutions, in particular medical ones.
The children's hospital in the Sputnik microdistrict opened on February 15, 2021. The institution is equipped with the latest equipment. There are all the specialists necessary for young residents: general practitioners, a surgeon, an ophthalmologist, a neurologist, an orthopaedic traumatologist, ENT, and ultrasound doctors.
The medical facility built by the Termodom holding provides for a structured space inside and the possibility of unhindered entry and exit to the territory.
The capacity of the department is 500 visits per shift. It consists of an open registry, a capillary blood collection office, an X-ray room, offices of GPs and specialists, an ultrasound, ECG office, a day hospital, a physiotherapy department, a physical therapy room, a vision protection office, a certificate issuance office, a healthy child's office, vaccination and treatment rooms, a medical and social care room, feeding rooms, and play areas.
In terms of creating conditions for disabled children, specialized sanitary and hygienic rooms with a toilet and a handrail are built, a separate reception room for patients with limited mobility, a system for emergency calls, including for the blind. There is a speech therapist's office, a psychologist's office, and a psychiatrist's office. A mobile palliative care team has been organized for home visits.
The Children's hospital department participates in the project "Friendly medicine for patients with ASD".
"In order to identify the risk of autism spectrum disorders during preventive examinations of children by local GPs, a screening assessment for ASD and DMN is carried out. Parents fill out a special questionnaire," explains Marina Vorobyova. – We started using this assessment in 2020 for children aged 2, - additionally for children aged 16-18 months. When risks are identified, children are referred to a paediatric psychiatrist for diagnosis and determination of further treatment when necessary."
The Penza Oblast was one of the first regions in the Volga Federal District to join the Mental Health project. The system of assistance to people with ASD and DMN and their families includes institutions of the health care system, education, social services, public non-profit and commercial organizations.
"Timely comprehensive support of children with ASD and DMN contributes to the maximum development of abilities, successful socialization, and their inclusion in the educational environment with subsequent integration into society," says the deputy head of the department. – Our next step is the development and popularization of mental health centres for children.
Photo provided by the Ministry of Health of the Penza Oblast.