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With a new IF statement, The International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF) is calling for urgent action demanding universal mandatory food fortification with vitamin B9 (folic acid) to reduce the risk of Spina Bifida, Anencephaly, or Encephalocele, also called Neural Tube Defects (NTDs).

On July 15, 2022, IF held an experience exchange and sharing webinar named ‘IF webinar Learning from Experience: Strategic Advocacy for Primary Prevention’. The webinar was an experience exchange and twinning opportunity for all IF members, in which representatives from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin-America and Europe who have advanced their national advocacy for primary prevention shared their key element of success, the process, lessons learned and advice for all participants.

The IF members training “From local to global - how to influence international actions through national advocacy” taking place on May 6 2022 provided an overview of key concepts and processes of international organisations.

IF Annual Report 2021 highlights all of IF activities and achievements of the past year. The year 2021 was an active one with many activities and challenges. Some of the activities were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, IF organised its activities in a digital format. These activities such as an escape room meeting, training opportunities, international awareness days, and the IF conference for persons with SBH on multidisciplinary care were well-received. Here, in this annual report 2021, the actions achieved for human rights, primary prevention, optimising management and care, raising awareness, as well as international solidarity are highlighted.

On May 24th 2022, the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF) together with GAPSBiF and G4 Alliance organised the WHA75 side event “Folic Acid Fortification to Prevent Spina Bifida” in Geneva, Switzerland.

The International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF) together with partners from international organisations, medical and academic institutes are leading a campaign for a global action on preventable birth defects. Food fortification with folic acid is urgently needed to achieve the objectives of the 2010 World Health Assembly Resolution on Birth Defects and achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).