The Sidra Child Advocacy Programme (S-CAP) programme will be leading child protection efforts in Qatar and based at the Sidra Outpatient Clinic.
The launch of S-CAP follows a series of workshops held in mid-2016 in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), where Sidra’s division chief of emergency medicine, Dr Khalid Mohamed al-Ansari, outlined his vision for a national child abuse prevention strategy and service network with health organisations at the forefront.
The S-CAP team consists of paediatric healthcare professionals including experts from medicine, nursing, social services, child life and psychiatric support services who specialise in the healing process for children and their families.
Staff have been trained to recognise signs of abuse, including psychological abuse and neglect. They have also been trained about reporting and legal procedures, while complying with privacy and confidentiality requirements.
“The Sidra Child Advocacy Programme is the culmination of a concerted effort to truly support the health, well-being and development of a child who has been the victim of abuse or neglect. We will provide the resources and support network to help children and families through what can be a distressing time. We are also extensively training our staff and working closely with other organisations to reinforce a team based approach that will ensure that the child’s needs and safety will always be a priority,” Dr al-Ansari said.
S-CAP will be the advocate in Qatar for children by co-ordinating the services needed for their safety and well-being. This will involve facilitating access to a comprehensive network of supportive and educational services to protect children and strengthen families and communities.
“We are working very closely with key stakeholders such as law enforcement and forensic medicine agencies under the Ministry of Interior, the Protection and Social Rehab Centre and the Family Consulting Centre. Our close collaboration with government organisations and the wider community is based on developing and building a national effort committed to protecting and caring for children. It is important that victims of abuse or neglect as well as healthcare and social service professionals understand and feel assured that there are services and measures in place to help,” added Dr al-Ansari.
S-CAP will operate through a referral based system in partnership with other healthcare providers in Qatar. Referrals may come from within Sidra, HMC, primary healthcare centres, private hospitals and schools. Referrals can be made by phone or e-mail during business hours.
Dr. Khalid Mohamed al-Ansari (L), SCAP team members Heather and Tawney (R)
Sidra Medical and Research Centre (Sidra) has launched a child advocacy programme, dedicated to protecting children from abuse or neglect at home and in the community.
