30th International Conference on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

When

24-26 October 2024

Where

 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Summary

Organized by the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Malaysia (SIBIAM) in collaboration with the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF), the conference brought together 350 participants from 30 countries around the world to foster connections among health professionals, researchers, individuals living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, families, emerging scholars, industry partners, and policymakers. Together, strategies were explored to address healthcare gaps and enhance prevention efforts, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach centered on the community.

The conference featured presentations on fortification implementation from Sharon Bustrak, FFI Technical Advisor, and FFI’s Executive Management Team (EMT), including the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), World Health Organization (WHO), Emory University, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The conference culminated in the historic Kuala Lumpur Declaration, which calls for global action to enhance the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) and to provide continuous, coordinated, and inclusive multidisciplinary care for individuals with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus at every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood. FFI is proud to be a signatory of this important declaration.

Photo: Sharon Bustrak, FFI Technical Advisor, presented as part of a panel on fortification implementation. (IF)

Photo: IF