7th FOHNEU INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

WORKFORCE HEALTH = NATIONAL WEALTH

Congress Overview
The Hungarian Chamber of Health Care Professionals (Magyar Egészségügyi Szakdolgozói Kamara, MESZK) and the Federation of Occupational Health Nurses within the European Union (FOHNEU) jointly organised the 7th FOHNEU International Congress in Budapest, on Margaret Island, from 24 to 26 April 2019. Hungary was awarded the right to host the Congress one year earlier — an outstanding achievement, since the event had previously always been held in Western Europe. This success is even more remarkable considering that MESZK has been a member of FOHNEU, an organisation with a history of more than a quarter of a century, for only around ten years, since 2009.

Congress at a Glance

Alongside the international delegation (143), 34 Hungarian occupational health professionals also took part. The calibre of the Congress was raised further by a participant body made up of internationally and nationally recognised experts, researchers, university leaders and educators, senior officers of occupational health nursing organisations, and nurses, physicians and psychologists actively working in the field of occupational health.

Congress Programme and Book of Abstracts (pdf)

Delegates of the 7th FOHNEU International Congress

Opening Ceremony and Patronage
On the first day of the Congress, delegates were welcomed by the Chief Patron, Prof. Dr Ildikó Horváth, Hungary's Secretary of State for Health, who summarised the current state of occupational health in Hungary and highlighted the importance of prevention in the workplace. Patronage of the international Congress was also given by Prof. Dr Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University, and by István Tarlós, Mayor of Budapest.

Main Theme and Topics
The central theme of the Congress was WORKFORCE HEALTH = NATIONAL WEALTH — the relationship between a healthy workforce and national wellbeing. Topics addressed in this context included the social and economic impact of occupational health activity, the challenges arising from labour migration, current trends in the expansion of tasks that nurses may perform independently, and achievements in creating healthy workplace environments and safeguarding employees' health.

Keynote and Invited Speakers
In keeping with tradition, the speaker line-up included Dr Jukka Takala, President of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH). Other invited speakers included:
● Dr Ledia Lazeri — Head of the WHO Country Office, Hungary
● Prof. Dr Károly Cseh — President of the Hungarian Scientific Society of Occupational Medicine
● Jorge Cabrita — European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound)
● Katalin Balogh — European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)
● Prof. Dr OiSaeng Hong — United States
● Prof. Anne Harriss — United Kingdom
● Prof. Dr Vicki Culpin — United Kingdom

MESZK 10th Jubilee Occupational Health Training Day
Within the framework of the international event, and in keeping with tradition, MESZK's 10th Jubilee Occupational Health Further-Training Day was organised as a dedicated session. Notably, MESZK's very first further-training day for this professional group was also held with international speakers, back in 2010, in connection with FOHNEU's Budapest general assembly.

Pre-Congress Tour
Delegates who arrived early were able to book a pre-Congress tour: a behind-the-scenes look at the pharmaceutical industry at Egis Pharmaceuticals PLC. Egis (part of the Servier Group) is a major regional player operating in 18 countries across Central and Eastern Europe, with its own R&D and a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, medical devices and over-the-counter products; its headquarters are located in Budapest.

The visit gave participants insight both into how Egis provides occupational health care for its own employees, and into the practice of pharmaceutical R&D and active-ingredient and finished-product manufacturing — fitting well with the 2018–2019 Healthy Workplaces campaign on the safe management of hazardous substances, for which FOHNEU is an official campaign partner.

FOHNEU Honorary Membership Award Ceremony
A completely new feature of the Congress was the presentation of the FOHNEU Honorary Membership Award, given to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the activities of the European federation. Since FOHNEU's founding in 1993, only six people in total have received this honour — four of them at this Congress. The idea behind the award was presented by former FOHNEU President Dr Julie Staun, who introduced the recipients:

● Gurutze Aguirre Alava
● Anne Boström
● Susan Pierrot
● Prof. Panayota Sourtzi

Recipients of the first FOHNEU Honorary Membership Awards

 Social and Cultural Programme
International guests were introduced to the diversity and uniqueness of Hungarian culture through performances by the Pénzügyőr Orchestra, the BOR-óka Band, and the Bartók Dance Ensemble of Budapest. An opening-day welcome reception, a gala dinner aboard a boat on the second evening, and a closing city sightseeing tour by bus rounded out an unforgettable programme.

Closing Ceremony and Awards
The Congress concluded with a Closing & Awards Ceremony recognising the Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster of the event, alongside a recap of the record-breaking figures — 28 countries represented and 143 international delegates plus 34 Hungarian participants — and words of thanks to hosts, sponsors and organisers before delegates were bid farewell in many languages, with an invitation to see one another again in Budapest.