Dr Salih Ali Al Marri (centre), the Assistant Minister for Health Affairs at the Ministry of Public Health, with Prof. Khalid Al Ansari, Sidra Medicine’s Chair of the Department of Emergency; and Dr Tufail Muhammad, President ISPCAN, and other officials a
Doha: Qatar’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children was affirmed during the opening session of an international child protection congress in Doha yesterday.
A first of its kind congress in the country, ‘ISPCAN Qatar 2020’ under the theme ‘Child Protection: The Journey Past, Present and Future’ is being organised in partnership with the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect (ISPCAN) and Sidra Medicine’s Child Advocacy Program.
Over three days, ‘ISPCAN Qatar 2020’ seeks to address the prevention and treatment of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation across the globe.
“Child abuse is an alarming issue that requires a collective effort from the community and professionals in our industry to address. It is imperative that we unite in the fight against child abuse and provide a better and safer environment for children. During ISPCAN Qatar 2020, we are committed to exploring approaches and programs, based on scientific knowledge and research, to prevent violence against children,” said Prof. Khalid Al Ansari, Chairman of ISPCAN Qatar 2020 in his opening remarks. He is also the Chair of Emergency Medicine and founder of Sidra Medicine’s Child Advocacy Program.
Prof. Al Ansari also highlighted that Sidra Medicine has succeeded in building a cohesive system in Qatar that is made up of a multi stakeholder structure. “I can, proudly, say that we have a clear national flow of case management that describes the role and responsibility of each stakeholder — for different cases of abuse.
"We also have a national helpline that has serviced around 400 cases a year on average, a registry for child abuse cases, and a national electronic medical record alert to flag cases.”
The opening ceremony of ISPCAN Qatar 2020 gathered more than 400 delegates from 35 countries including Dr Salih Ali Al Marri, the Assistant Minister for Health Affairs at the Ministry of Public Health; several decision makers; leaders; dignitaries from the government and diplomatic sector as well as others in Doha yesterday.
ISPCAN is an international non-profit organisation that unites a range of stakeholders to discuss various issues related to child protection, ending violence against children, local child protection action and others.
This is the first time the organisation is holding its congress in Qatar, with Sidra Medicine leading the conversation on child advocacy for children in the country and beyond.
“Child abuse is a global issue and it is reassuring to see how governments, experts and decision makers from both the public and private sector have joined the Qatar congress. We hope that they have acquired the knowledge necessary to make a difference in their respective countries,” said Dr Tufail Muhammad, President of ISPCAN, while addressing the opening session.
Speaking to media on the sidelines, Dr Tufail emphasised the importance of hosting the congress in Qatar. “A lot of work has been done in Qatar in regard with child protection. The basic purpose of the congress is not only to strengthen the child protection system in other countries of the region but have a special focus on Qatar.
"ISPCAN seeks to transfer knowledge and share experience with countries. This legacy will continue in Qatar in strengthening its child protection system, which is at present in a stage of development but we see a lot of commitment.”
