DOHA: The Early Intervention Programme at Rumailah Hospital is supporting about 50 children with Down Syndrome and is being followed in accordance with international standards of care.
The family-centred programme provides a comprehensive multi-disciplinary therapeutic service to children from 0-3 years and includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, said Dr Mahmoud Obeidah, Director, Child Development Centre and Rehabilitation, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The programme is supported by other services, including special education, nursing and clinical psychology services according to the children’s needs, he added.
Children with Down Syndrome can lead a normal life if given the right opportunities, necessary support and appropriate healthcare.
The centre is supervised by selected physicians who regularly check the children’s heart, hearing, eyesight and thyroid function.
It is also working with parents to identify the children’s areas of strength and their talents to help them socialise and integrate well into society.
The centre organised an event featuring activities such as educational games, a doll making workshop, facial colouring, photography, henna drawing and balloons arts to mark World Down Syndrome Day.
The event demonstrated HMC’s keenness to enhance communication between healthcare providers and patients and their families and bring joy and happiness to the children.
It was organised for the sixth consecutive year by the Department of Child Development Centre and Rehabilitation at Rumailah Hospital and sponsored by Ooredoo in collaboration with the Physiotherapy, Special Education Centre, the Department of Occupational Therapy and the Roah Centre.
The theme of the event was ‘My Friends and My Community - Benefits of a Comprehensive Environment for Today’s Children and Tomorrow’s Adults’.
“We organised the event to bring joy and happiness to children with Down Syndrome so they have a sense of belonging among their peers and know that they have equal opportunities in the community,” said Dr Obeidah.The Peninsula
