Paediatricians have had to reorganize themselves to be able to treat children in the dana-ravaged areas of the Valencian Community, in improvised health centers in other facilities or by carrying out home visits amid the isolation. One of the priorities is to restore vaccination programs.
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Concentration of parents and children to ask for the opening of schools in Paiporta (Valencian Community) after the damage. EFE/Villar Lopez
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Concentration of parents and children to ask for the opening of schools in Paiporta (Valencian Community) after the damage. EFE/Villar Lopez
Valencian pediatricians ”worked together in the extreme conditions” generated by the Dana flood, notes the Valencian Society of Pediatrics (SVP)dependent on the Spanish Association of Pediatrics.
The worst affected areas include several health departments where numerous health centers were completely flooded.
To continue with treatment, temporary centers were established and mixed groups of hospital and primary care paediatricians were created.
“Health centers were improvised in schools, in town halls, in residences… in any space that was fit to be used,” he says. Juan Carlos Julia, president of the UDC.
The pediatrician explains: «We organized ourselves, covering every day of the week, morning and afternoon, even holidays».
A pediatrician, on maternity leave, joins the help
Paula Rodríguez-Cantón, pediatrician at the Paiporta Health Center, A Valencian city located at ground zero of the floods was on maternity leave when its health center was devastated following damage on October 29.
She didn’t hesitate, she immediately joined her companions to organize home visitsa key strategy for caring for the little ones in a context of isolation.
“All the staff were 100% involved. We set up teams with
On Monday 11 November the health center resumed its activity on the upper floor of the building, while maintaining teleconsultation and home visits.
The return was tough: “They are our families, there are professionals who have worked here for 20 years and have seen these children grow up. We wanted them and their families to see us as soon as possible. It’s therapeutic for everyone to be able to tell them Don’t worry, the kids will be fine.”, he reports.
The paediatricians of Paiporta have already updated their child check-ups, even if many of their patients do not come for consultations because they have gone to Valencia or to relatives’ second homes.
“These groups have become an essential channel for resolving urgent issues regarding fever, diarrhea and other health problems, but also issues related to infant feeding and vaccinations, especially when families were unable to travel due to lack of vehicles and mud in the streets. ” explains Julia, president of the UDC.
Second Rafael Navarro, coordinator of the Social Pediatrics group of the SVP: “Children have lost their triple safety space: their home, their school and the streets where they played. Restoring these environments is a priority. Once you have recovered the house, you must continue through the school and then through the parks and squares of your neighborhoods.”
“We cannot forget that the recovery process will be long. There are families who have lost everything and children are particularly affected. Some don’t speak, don’t sleep and are scared. For this reason, protocols are being prepared to address the emotional problems that will surely arise,” adds Navarro.
The Dana flood caused, among other things, the interruption of childhood vaccination programs carried out in health centers by the infirmary and after consulting paediatricians.
“For weeks, vaccines failed to reach many areas. We are now giving priority to the recovery of children
More than three weeks after the injury and after various commitments to regain normality, the paediatricians of Senior Vice President have identified several priorities for the coming months:
• Recover safe spaces for the little ones. Returning to school and rehabilitating parks are essential to their emotional well-being.
• Ensure the vaccination programs. Accelerate the recruitment of boys and girls who have not received the corresponding vaccines to avoid epidemic outbreaks.
• Participate in emotional consequences. Protocols are prepared to address potential anxiety and/or depression disorders, especially in adolescents, a particularly vulnerable group.
• Institutional strengthening. They ask administrations to speed up the restoration of affected infrastructure and offer support to health teams.What strategies did pediatricians implement to provide care for children during the Dana flood crisis in the Valencian Community?
Interview Transcript: Time.news Editor Conversations with Rafael Navarro, Coordinator of the Social Pediatrics Group of the Valencian Society of Pediatrics
Editor: Good day, and thank you for joining us, Dr. Rafael Navarro. Your work in the field of pediatrics, especially during the recent Dana flood in the Valencian Community, has been commendable. Can you share with us what steps were taken by pediatricians to ensure that children received the necessary healthcare during this crisis?
Navarro: Thank you for having me. The challenge was indeed monumental, but the response from pediatricians in the Valencian Community was swift and collaborative. We had to quickly adapt to the extreme conditions created by the floods. Since many health centers were damaged or completely submerged, we were organized into mixed teams of hospital and primary care pediatricians. This allowed for a seamless integration of services.
Editor: That sounds very challenging. I understand that the health services were quite creatively adapted. Can you elaborate on how health centers were set up under these difficult conditions?
Navarro: Absolutely. We had to improvise significantly. Health centers were established in various locations such as schools, town halls, and even residences—basically anywhere we could provide care. Dr. Juan Carlos Julia noted that this adaptability was critical in ensuring we could address the health needs of the community. Our teams worked tirelessly, covering every day of the week, morning and afternoon, even through holidays.
Editor: It must have been quite taxing for you and your colleagues. I heard a remarkable story about Dr. Paula Rodríguez-Cantón, who returned to work from maternity leave to support her colleagues. Can you tell us more about that?
Navarro: Yes, it truly reflects the dedication of our pediatricians. Dr. Rodríguez-Cantón was on maternity leave when the floods struck. Without hesitation, she joined her colleagues and helped coordinate home visits, which became a lifeline for families isolated from traditional healthcare services. The engagement and commitment shown by all staff members during this crisis were extraordinary.
Editor: Home visits must have been essential during these times. How did those visits help mitigate the health issues faced by children in the affected areas?
Navarro: Indeed, they played a crucial role. Many families weren’t able to reach health centers due to the destruction, blocked roads, and lack of vehicles. Our home visits helped address urgent health issues like fever and diarrhea but also provided support for important infant-care topics, including feeding and vaccination. It was a vital communication channel to reassure families when they needed it most.
Editor: That brings me to a critical point: vaccination programs. How were these impacted, and what measures did you take to restore them?
Navarro: The disruption was significant. Restoring vaccination programs became one of our top priorities, given that many children missed necessary doses due to the chaos. We had to re-engage families, even those who might have relocated temporarily to Valencia or family homes. Pediatricians updated child check-ups promptly, emphasizing the importance of staying on track with vaccinations.
Editor: You mentioned the emotional toll on families and children due to the loss of their safe spaces. What has been the long-term vision in rebuilding these critical environments?
Navarro: Restoring these safe spaces—homes, schools, and communal areas—is indeed paramount. We’ve identified a phased approach: first, we must ensure families are settled in their homes, then focus on reopening schools, and work to restore playgrounds and public areas kids can safely enjoy. Our recovery efforts will take time; many families lost everything, and the psychological impact on children is profound. Addressing these needs holistically is essential for their well-being.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Navarro. Lastly, what message would you like to convey to the broader community regarding the importance of pediatric care during crises?
Navarro: My message would be this: pediatric care is not just about treating sickness; it’s about nurturing the physical and emotional well-being of children. In times of crisis, it becomes even more vital to ensure that children feel safe, cared for, and supported. The community’s involvement is also crucial—whether that be through volunteering, donations, or simply checking in on families affected. Together, we can work towards recovery and resilience.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Navarro, and for shedding light on the tremendous efforts of pediatricians in the Valencian Community. Your dedication to the health of children is inspiring.
Navarro: Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep these conversations alive as we continue to work towards recovery.