HMC (HMC) observed World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) with event featuring a range of activities for children with Down Syndrome and their families. More than 150 attended the event.
Dr Haitham El Bashir, head of the Child Development Centre (CDC), said, “It gives all of us an opportunity to come together as one community, where children with Down Syndrome feel loved and welcomed. They are able to enjoy the many activities with their parents and siblings as well as those healthcare professionals they see only in a clinical setting for medical services.”
The Early Intervention Programme at CDC accepts children from a very early age and includes parent-to-parent counselling, family and group therapy, in addition to occupational therapy, speech therapy, special education and physiotherapy services. The centre sees an average of 190 children with Down Syndrome in the child development clinics.
Fatima Mustafa, acting assistant director of child rehabilitation, stated, “We believe that given the right opportunities, dedicated support and care to children with Down Syndrome they can function as normally as anyone else in society.”
Down Syndrome, which is also termed Tristomy 21, is a genetic condition that occurs due to the presence of an extra chromosome. Individuals with this condition have 47 chromosomes in their cells, instead of the usual 46. According to the World Health Organisation, the estimated incidence of this condition is 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births around the world.
Organisers and participants during the World Down Syndrome Day event.
