Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health, will hold a public seminar on ‘Supporting Families and Children in Hospital in Qatar’, to highlight the importance of a family-centred approach to heathcare. 

The seminar, which will be held on 26 September at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha, will discuss various issues related to paediatric healthcare.

According to Noor Al Malki Al Jehani, DIFI Executive Director, they continue to promote programmes and practices that strengthen the family.

Through this report, DIFI is contributing its efforts to highlight that the presence and participation of family members is a fundamental component of patient and family-centred care, and has a significant effect on a child’s adjustment to the healthcare experience.

The report provides concepts, approaches, challenges and case studies that illustrate the application of child and family-friendly paediatric psychosocial care in paediatric healthcare settings, in Qatar and around the world.’

Dr Saleh Ali Al Marri, Assistant Minister of Public Health for Health Affairs, said the Ministry of Public Health supports families and children in hospitals, and psychosocial support plays an important role in protecting children and adolescents from the many challenges and dangers facing their health and well-being.

Qatar’s National Health Strategy emphasises the importance of including psychosocial support for children and adolescents in integrated and specialised primary healthcare, to improve the health of patient, the family and the population. This is achieved by building the capacity of healthcare providers and developing the infrastructure of a health system that supports national guidelines and policies, and community scientific research.

Hamad Medical Corporation provides psychological and social interventions for children and young people and their families, with specialised teams that provide services well aware of the importance of identifying the psychological and social needs of this important group.

The Ministry of Public Health welcomes our fruitful cooperation with DIFI. We are keen to enhance cooperation with all stakeholders to integrate health in all policies, through a collaborative cross-sectoral approach that improves healthcare for the entire population.’

DIFI, as a global policy and advocacy institute, works to enhance public knowledge on Arab families through research and seminars, and promote evidence-based policies. For updates and more information, visit difi.org.qa.