On December 28, 2016 the final training of the palliative care for children session No. one was conducted.

Andriy Penkov, member of Kharkiv expert group in medical reform, President of the Ukrainian-German Medical Association, pediatrician of the highest category, MD, and Olena Riga, professor of the Pediatrics and Neonatology department at the Kharkiv National Medical University, MD, led the incredible training on integrative medicine at the Kharkiv Regional Specialized Baby Home #1.

Andriy Penkov described the concept of integrative medicine, the essence of the treatment of mind and body. The trainer paid particular attention to the safety and efficacy of integrative medicine in pain management, in high-quality of life provision for children with serious diseases.

Participants had the opportunity to practice relaxation techniques, mental exercises. In addition they tried the effects of various respiratory techniques, clinical hypnosis and visualization.

with Olena Riga participants studied the concept of play therapy and aromatherapy; became acquainted with foreign experience in this area; discussed the importance of play for child development, the role and functions of the play therapist. Olena Riga also explained how to use essential oils in pediatric palliative care, showed what essential oils recommended and described the effects of the oils on children.

In total, 5 trainings on pediatric palliative care (overall duration of which - 35 hours) were conducted for the medical professionals of the Kharkiv Regional Specialized Baby Home #1.

The training session was conducted under the Project “Creating a new model of family-and-community oriented services for children with special needs” supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).