HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today attended the closing ceremony of the 4th edition of the Arab Children Health Congress at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Arab Children Health Congress ceremony was also attended by HE Dr. Hanif Hassan; UAE Minister of Health, HE Qadhi Al Murooshid; Director General of Dubai Health Authority, HE Mrs. Laila Negm; Director Health and Humanitarian Aid, HE Dr. Rowaida Al-Maaitah; Chairperson of the Arab Children Health Congress’s Scientific Committee, HE Dr. Ala Alwan; Assistant Director General Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Ayman Abulaban; UNICEF Representative for the Arab Countries in the Gulf and a number of doctors and officials from the UAE.
Speeches by the officials involved were delivered at the Arab Children Health Congress closing ceremony in addition to performances by the children, an e-drawing competition for the children and the announcement of the new Arab Children Health Congress’s ambassadors.
The ACHC closing ceremony commenced with a speech by HE Qadhi Al Murooshid saying: ”The goals set for the Arab Children Health Congress focus on formulating health programs that include children’s psychological, emotional, and educational benefits. Children are the most important category in the society and represent the future generation.”
His Excellency also stated that the “Dubai Health Authority is keen to dedicate the 4th edition of the Arab Children Health to accidents and injuries. The DHA is extending its efforts into studying this topic from different angles, as it is considered a challenging topic for all Arab countries.”
Qhadi assured that the Dubai Health Authority is committed to raising awareness in the community by adopting future orientations to expand and develop the topics involved in the conference, in cooperation with national and international partners.
HE Laila Negm said “the Arab Children Health Congress is following the goals and measures of the second Arab Children plan dedicated for children safety. In this regard, I would like to emphasize the interest of the League of Arab States in children issues, in which they were put forward to high levels.”
She also expressed her gratitude for her participation in this Congress where the scientific committee discussed during the past three days, a number of topics related to the health of Arab Children, and other related issues.
“We need to adopt new legislations and regulations that guarantee children safety and above all, make sure that we implement them,” continued Laila Negm.
In her speech, HE Dr. Rowaida Al-Maaita said: “Accidents and injuries among children is one of the major national and regional challenges in all communities. From this Congress, launched under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya, we had the chance to have a scientific, health and social forum, where children along with their families can talk unconditionally to teachers, experts, service providers, and policy makers”.
HE Dr. Rowaida announced recommendations of the Arab Children Health Congress that emphasized and highlighted developing the safety measures of children and requested that countries should establish and enhance a unified national monitoring system for injuries in addition to adopting a dedicated system for reporting.
Dr. Ayman Abulaban stressed on the great role played by the concerned parties that represent governmental and non governmental associations, where they have issued one of the best social initiatives that adds a lot to this field.
Dr. Abulaban also declared the commitment of UNICEF to put all its efforts into working on reducing and preventing children’s accidents through their partners in the UAE, as this topic deserves efforts of the majority and effect the social and economical future of the country.
HE Dr. Ala Alwan expressed his gratitude for participating in this congress, adding “Children’s injuries are responsible for more than 800,000 deaths annually. We can avoid these deaths through high profile measures achieved by the governmental and non governmental organizations who are concerned about health”.
Children participated at the e-poster exhibition with their paintings that had the theme of the congress “Accidents and Injuries: Prevention of Injuries amongst Children”. The competition encourages them to broaden their horizons and utilize their creative talent. The three winners were; Fatima Dawia from and Karthavya Sunil from New Indian Model School and Metha Ali Mansour from
The Arab Children Health Congress closing ceremony also included the announcement of the two ambassadors; Sara Al Marzouqi from Sofouh School for Girls and Mohammed Ja’rour from Mohammed Bin Rashid School.
