At educational event Smart and Safe – future paediatricians promote a healthy lifestyle

To highlight the high incidence of child injuries, the interactive and educational event Smart and Safe (Zinošs un drošs) for children and parents was held on 6 September for the eighth time, bringing together many families. The event was organised by the Latvian Association of Paediatricians, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), and the RSU Paediatrics Student Research Interest Group, in cooperation with the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Riga City Council, and several partners.

The aim of the event was to remind and emphasise how to avoid various accidents and injuries in daily life, as well as to promote public health. Visitors were provided with knowledge about dangerous situations and how to act in emergencies, along with practical demonstrations on how to help themselves and others in the event of an accident.

In the first months of the year, several dozen trampoline-related injuries were registered, with the number increasing by more than a third during the summer. The most common injuries are falls, sprains, and even broken bones. With the start of the school year, psycho-emotional safety also becomes important, which is why this year’s event emphasised both physical and psychological health.

Opening ceremony 

Safe and Smart event began with a ceremonial opening, during which the project manager, paediatrician Polīna Popeiko expressed her gratitude to all volunteers, students, doctors, sponsors, and families for their help and support. Dace Kļaviņa, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Health, emphasised that ensuring a safer and healthier environment for the younger generation requires joint effort.

Andris Skride, RSU Vice-Rector for Health Studies, was proud of the students’ involvement and the recognition of the event, while Inga Ziemele, President of the Latvian Association of Paediatricians, highlighted the importance of practical skills in promoting public health. Marks Ronis, Head of the Emergency Department at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, reminded attendees that children need clear guidance on staying safe. Meanwhile, Uldis Stupelis, representing DHL Express Latvia, shared a personal story about his son’s actions while helping people in emergency situations. 

Practical stations and activities 

The event featured ten stations where around 150 medical and healthcare students from RSU and the University of Latvia, together with doctors and residents, provided both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. With the help of the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre, participants could practice resuscitation, first aid for burns, and wound dressing. The stations also addressed topics such as healthy nutrition, home safety, road safety, fire safety, swimming and ice safety, as well as psycho-emotional well-being and safe child development.

Smart and Safe event was attended by over 1,000 visitors - children and adults who actively engaged in practical activities and collected stamps in a brochure, later exchanging them for surprise prizes from the supporters.

Informational brochure 

An informational brochure on safety, in Latvian, was also published for the event.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to paediatrician Dr. Polīna Popeiko, Smart and Safe chief organiser, Katrīna Duka, Head of the RSU Paediatric student research interest group in 2024/2025; RSU Faculty of Medicine students Sņežana Bogdanova, Amanda Elizabete Dūrēja, Ieva Samsone, Beata Krasovska, Elīna Samsone, Santa Bērziņa, Veronika Kuļineca, Gunta Baumane, Darja Beļeviča, and Katrīna Duka; and the public health specialist Agija Dobelniece. Many thanks also for the help and support to psychiatrist Dr. Liene Vītola.

Many thanks also to students Adrians Jasinskis, Diāna Lismane, Madara Darģe, Samanta Cvetkova, Dāvis Jākobsons, Daniels Siļčonoks, Elizabete Romanovska, Lilija Banceviča, Ilze Skrastiņa, and Elīna Staģe for their active work at the stations and assistance in organising the event. Appreciation is also extended to Kristīne Kozlova, Sofija Zograf, and Vadims Solncevs for their contributions to the creation and illustration of the information brochure.

Special gratitude to RSU Prof. Ilze Grope, President of the Latvian Association of Paediatricians, and the Latvian Association of Paediatricians for the valuable support. Appreciation is also extended to Prof. Dace Gardovska, Head of the RSU Department of Paediatrics; psychodrama therapist Olga Popeiko; paediatric resident Anna Raita; family doctor Dr. Ilze Koreškova; emergency medicine resident Jānis Žilvinskis; physician assistant Sabīne Māra Cīrule; psychiatry resident Anna Aizpuriete; child psychiatry resident Dr. Sabīne Bebere and child psychiatry resident Kristiāna Meždreija; medical resident Nadīna Paegle-Šapovalova; medical resident Pāvels Liepiņš; and dentists Marta Dambe and Luīze Lote Liepiņa, for their help and support.