The youngest department in France has a solid maternal and child protection system for mothers and children up to six years old
© Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels
Seine-Saint-Denis is the youngest department in France, with according to INSEE 22.3% of its population aged under 14, and 21.3% aged 14 to 29. The department is therefore keen to protect this population which represents the future of an aging country, where births are at half-mast: in 2023, 678,000 babies will be born in France, or 6.6% less than in 2022. and almost 20% less than in 2010.
To do this, it has a network of nearly 100 PMI (maternal and child protection) centers. The cities with the most are Aulnay-Sous-Bois, Drancy (six PMI), Saint-Denis, followed by Montreuil and Aubervilliers (five PMI). These agencies offer pregnant women the opportunity to monitor their pregnancy free of charge and anonymously, including childbirth preparation sessions, prescriptions for additional examinations if necessary, pregnancy follow-up medical consultations, etc. But the care is also aimed at children under six years old, with regular medical appointments, vaccinations, appointments with psychologists in the event of difficulties of the child or the family.
Health checks in kindergartens
The PMIs of Seine-Saint-Denis, financed by the department and placed under the authority of its president, also reach out to children in nursery schools. Every year at the start of the school year, childcare nurses and childcare assistants offer children aged four to six a health check-up. Painless tests, such as hearing or visual screening, are carried out, the condition of the teeth is checked, and preventative work is implemented in terms of nutrition and sleep. The objective is to detect possible disorders as early as possible, in order to better treat them. The results are then recorded in the child's health record. If necessary, the PMI will refer parents to a specialist for an in-depth diagnosis.
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