Training in child health for the developing world

The age at which individuals born in different societies can be expected to need their coffins is shown in Figure 1. Whereas less than 20% of those born in the 'North' will require their coffins before retirement age, for those born in the villages and shanty towns of the 'South' three-quarters of the coffins will be required before the age ofretirement and halfofall these coffins will be for children. The reasons for this appalling mortality and action to overcome it and improve the health of children in the developing world are of full time concern to some ofus working in the field of tropical health. For others, such as Professor Wolff, holding important positions in child health in the UK, the care of these children may not be their immediate concern but supporting those who can, has been an important thread in their life's work. Even before taking up the post of Nuffield Professor of Child Health in London University, Professor Wolffwas summoned, while still on holiday, for a meeting with representatives ofWHO. His initial and continuing support has made it possible for the Institute of Child Health to continue its work for children in less developed countries and for it to become one of the more important centres world wide for tropical child health. This article describes how the Tropical Child Health Unit of the Institute ofChild Health; has, over the last two decades, become one of the premier centres of training in child health for the less developed countries of our world.