The World Federation of Pediatric Intensive & Critical Care Societies (WFPICCS), in collaboration with OPENPediatrics, recognizes World PICU Awareness Week 2025. This initiative aims to raise global awareness about the importance of PICUs and critical care wards worldwide, emphasizing how healthcare professionals in these units, regardless of resource setting, are driving change.

From managing infectious diseases to overcoming infrastructure challenges, this episode explores the resilience and innovation in pediatric intensive care across Sub-Saharan Africa. Hear from frontline experts in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Madagascar as they share their experiences in providing critical care amidst epidemics, conflicts, and climate change. Discover how dedicated healthcare professionals are transforming outcomes for children in some of the most challenging environments.

HOST

Hans-Joerg Lang, MD, PhD, FRCPCH

NGO Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar

Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Germany

GUESTS

Archippe Muhandule Birindwa, MD, PhD

Medical Director at Cliniques Universitaires de Bukavu

Head of Department of Pediatrics at Université Officielle de Bukavu

Pediatrics Lecturer at Institut Supérieur de Technique Médicale

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Diavolana Koecher, MD

Professor at the University of Mahajanga

Madagascar

Marah Issiatu, RN, SCM, MSN

Senior Nurse Specialist at JMB-PCE hospital

Nursing Officer at JMB-PCE hospital

Sierra Leone

DATE

Initial publication date: May 9, 2025.

TRANSCRIPTS

English - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/9p2jw59n8ghrghgpk7m72g/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_English.pdf

Spanish - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/nv25jghz5c99ckcnt9jb4gpr/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Spanish.pdf

French - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/pm9j5jzbcz6v8jrghhsrp/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_French.pdf

Portuguese - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/fj34b5cj9gjj6q3wgt3g7wrx/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Portuguese.pdf

Italian - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/35vmps6w6kkcnvhwvzf32wmc/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Italian.pdf

German - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/bnph8nvgg9k69j753f744jh/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_German.pdf

Arabic - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/wrrm7hfnf43sngsj55bkf4/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Arabic.pdf

Please visit: www.openpediatrics.org

OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access, thus at no expense to the user.

For further information on how to enroll, please email: [email protected]