The Hamad Medical Corporation has held a series of activities to raise awareness about social work as well as to highlight role of social workers and their contributions to the community. Social workers, case managers, doctors, nurses and medical teams have participated in a first-of-its-kind “Social Worker Week” featuring workshops, lectures and presentations.Participants also conducted fundraising activities for needy patients during the week, which concluded with an awards ceremony to honour and acknowledge social workers. “The Social Work Week highlights the role of social workers and the valuable efforts they have extended for the benefit of the community,” Social Services department director Suad al-Hamad said. Al-Hamad, who opened the event with a presentation on the history of social services at HMC, spoke about the activities that the social workers have conducted over the years for the benefit of patients and their families, as well as students who come to HMC to learn how they do their work.While explaining that the event also aimed to educate patients so that they will have a better understanding of what social workers can do and how they can help, the official touched on challenges encountered by social workers and the important role they play in assisting the medical team.HMC assistant managing director Paul Grant said in a speech that the event was an opportunity for social workers to reflect on the good work that they do and how it has improved. He also commended al-Hamad and all social workers at HMC for the contribution they make to patient care every day.“Social work is very important to running a hospital. We need people like we have working with us today, who help patients in their most vulnerable times,” he said adding “Celebrating the achievements and contributions that social workers have made is very important, and we should take every opportunity to do that.”