i4KIDS Mission 2024: Strengthening Collaborations for the Future of Paediatrics in Riga

The second i4KIDS International Mission on Paediatric Innovation, held in parallel with the Pediatric Innovation Day 2024 in Riga, marked a significant step towards enhancing collaboration and synergies in the field of fetal, child and maternal health. 

The mission brought together six members of the i4KIDS network (Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, ICFO, University of Barcelona and Parc Taulí – Institut d’Investigació i Innovació I3PT) and provided an invaluable opportunity to share knowledge, foster partnerships and explore innovative practices within the Baltic paediatric healthcare ecosystem. 

 The mission agenda included several key activities, including institutional visits and meetings with leading public-private entities in the Latvian paediatric innovation landscape. The participants attended a networking dinner with members of i4KIDS-EUROPE , ECHO (European Children’s Hospitals Organisation) and ADD4KIDS further strengthening professional ties and reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing paediatric healthcare across Europe. 

A day of networking and innovation 

The day began with a warm welcome from Valts Ābols, CEO of Children Clinical University Hospital of Latvia, followed by a comprehensive tour of the hospital’s facilities. The tour highlighted the hospital’s historical development and recent progress, including the mental health unit, new emergency building and day care services.  

Startups also took to the stage to present cutting-edge innovations in virtual reality (VR) and diagnostic technologies, including Fungo, Longenesis and VREACH. 

The mission continued at Riga Stradina University’s Medical Education and Technology Centre (METC), where participants networked over lunch with key figures in Latvia’s healthcare sector. Notable attendees included Aiga Balode, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, and Āris Kasparāns, Managing Director of the National Health Service, who discussed innovation procurement and shared insights from the 2024 Innovation Hackathon. Participants also toured METC’s laboratories to gain further exposure to emerging technologies and innovative research.  

The final stop was at the University of Latvia’s Research Centre, where discussions focused on the application of big data in hospitals, laboratory research and alternative plant-based solutions to healthcare challenges. These presentations highlighted the importance of data-driven approaches in transforming paediatric healthcare.  

 The day concluded with a networking dinner in the heart of Riga, where mission participants and Pediatric Innovation Day attendees gathered in a more informal setting. The event fostered deeper connections and laid the groundwork for future collaborations within the European paediatric innovation community.  

 The following day, the i4KIDS delegation’s participated in the Pediatric Innovation Day 2024, a premier event that brought together leaders and innovators in paediatric healthcare. This enriching experience capped off a successful mission, showcasing the latest advances and fostering new opportunities for collaboration.

We invite you to watch the highlights video from the mission day, capturing the key moments and insights of the journey.