Date: 12 February 2025
Location: Singapore
Organised by: Global Alliance for Infant Health
Linda Ng, Secretary of the Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN) and Regional Director for South East Asia, represented COINN at the Asia Pacific Maternal and Infant Health on Thyroid Disease Roundtable Meeting in Singapore. Organised by the Global Alliance for Infant Health, this event brought together leading healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to address the impact of thyroid disease—particularly hypothyroidism—on maternal and infant health in the Asia Pacific region.
The roundtable included representatives from key organisations, such as:
• International Thyroid Federation
• South Asian Obesity Forum
• Indonesia Thyroid Association
• Iodine Global Network Philippines
• NDC Group
• Nepal Thyroid Health Group
• Global Alliance for Patient Access
• National Coalition for Infant Health
• Vital Strategies, a non-profit organisation working in over 60 countries to strengthen public health systems and improve health outcomes.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
The roundtable focused on the urgent need to address hypothyroidism in maternal and infant health across the Asia Pacific. Several key themes emerged:
The Burden and Impact of Hypothyroidism
Participants discussed the significant effects of untreated hypothyroidism on maternal and neonatal health, emphasizing the importance of early screening, timely intervention, and improved awareness among healthcare professionals and the public.
Barriers to Education, Screening, and Treatment
The discussion highlighted critical challenges, including:
• Limited awareness among healthcare providers and the general population
• Restricted access to healthcare services and diagnostic tools
• Insufficient training for healthcare professionals on thyroid-related health risks
Strategies to Address Barriers
To improve maternal and infant health outcomes, several strategies were proposed:
• Expanding public health campaigns to raise awareness
• Strengthening healthcare infrastructure to improve screening and treatment accessibility
• Enhancing training programs for neonatal and maternal healthcare professionals
Global Policy Engagement and Advocacy
A key objective was to develop strategies to encourage global policymakers to recognize hypothyroidism as a noncommunicable disease (NCD). Discussions emphasized the need for policy reforms, increased research funding, and strengthened international collaboration to address thyroid-related health challenges effectively.
Collaboration with NDC Group for Global Advocacy
The roundtable concluded with a commitment to working alongside the NDC Group to present key findings and recommendations at global health forums, including the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) meetings in 2025. These discussions will be critical in advocating for policy changes, improved screening programs, and enhanced treatment options for maternal and infant thyroid health.
Moving Forward
The Asia Pacific Maternal and Infant Health on Thyroid Disease Roundtable was a significant step toward strengthening policies and healthcare systems to better address thyroid disease in maternal and infant health. The collective expertise and commitment of participating organisations will help drive meaningful improvements in awareness, policy, and healthcare delivery.
COINN remains dedicated to advancing neonatal and maternal healthcare globally and looks forward to contributing to the upcoming WHA and WHO discussions later this year.
For more updates on COINN’s work, visit: www.coinnurses.org.
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