Child and Maternal Health in Focus: PRO Programme Strengthens Health Centers to Prevent Environment-Related Health Risks

Belgrade, October 3, 2025 – A training entitled “The Impact of the Environment on Children’s Health” brought together 37 healthcare professionals from 25 local self-government units, aiming to strengthen their ability to identify and respond to health risks caused by environmental pollution.

Accredited by the Health Council of the Republic of Serbia, the programme was developed in collaboration with experts from the Institute for Health Care of Mother and Child of Serbia “Dr Vukan Čupić” and the Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanović Batut.”

Participants received a guidebook and poster to support their daily work with families with young children, particularly those most exposed to the effects of pollution.

The training emphasized that children are more vulnerable and disproportionately exposed to environmental risks compared to adults. Healthcare professionals, through their close contact with families, play a key role in the early detection, treatment, and prevention of environment-related diseases.

Such capacity-building initiatives empower them to advocate for safe and healthy conditions where every child can grow and thrive.

The training is part of the project “Improving the Position and Enhancing Access to Rights for Informal Waste Pickers in the Context of Modernizing the Waste Management System,” implemented by the Center for Social Policy within the PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature initiative. The initiative is jointly implemented by UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and financial assistance from the Government of Switzerland.