Tampere Center for Child Health Research has global networks

Professor Per Ashorn researches and promotes child health in the international arena.

“Creating a global network will have a snowball effect on research in child health. Research on paediatric cancers, premature babies, the mother-child relationship, malnutrition, child neurology and early infancy are good examples of the focal points of the research centre in the future,” said Per Ashorn, Professor of Intenational Medicine at the opening ceremony of the Tampere Center for Child Health Research at the University of Tampere.

The focus of the research activities will be on
research related to the occurrence, phenotypes, morbidity and prevention of illnesses as well as on health promotion and on the cure and rehabilitation
of the paediatric patient.

“Apart from the research activities we will organise lecture series, celebrate the Universal Children’s Day and work in a close dialogue with the Ministries and other interest groups,” said Ashorn.

One benefit of conducting international research
is the opportunity to do research in areas where childhood diseases occur.

“Founding research centres in the University’s
Schools is in accordance with the regulations and
the strategy of the University of Tampere. We need internationalisation, impactful research, high quality, multidisciplinarity and freedom of research,” said Kaija Holli, Rector of the University of Tampere, at the opening ceremony.

Professor Markku Mäki said that the research that
is conducted today will result in treatments tomorrow. The history of research on childhood diseases is one of the success stories of the School of Medicine since it was established as a faculty in 1972.

Development Director Isto Nordback from the Tampere Hospital District said that the strategy of the hospital district is based on research and he welcomed the founding of the new research centre to promote new thinking.

The research projects at the new centre will also highlight health care systems and health economics.  The Tampere Center for Child Health Research will start with 50-60 full-time researchers and postgraduate students and about 20 part-time undergraduate or postgraduate students. The Center is located on the Kauppi campus.

The Center has a management team, chaired by the Director of the Center. An international advisory board will be appointed later.

Text and photograph: Taina Repo